The document provides background information on the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain and the epic poem Beowulf. It discusses that the Anglo-Saxons inhabited Britain from the 5th century onward as Germanic tribes migrating from Europe. This period between 450-1066 AD is known as the Anglo-Saxon period, during which Old English was spoken. Old English is like a foreign language to modern English speakers. The document also notes that Anglo-Saxon sagas were entertaining stories told at feasts that mixed history with legend, and poses questions about the significance of images and conclusions that can be drawn from Beowulf.

1. THE ANGLO-SAXON PERIOD
AND
BEOWULF

2. THE ANGLO-SAXONS
The Anglo-Saxons were a people who
inhabited Great Britain from the 5th century.
They included:
- people from Germanic tribes who migrated
to the island from continental Europe.
- indigenous British groups who adopted
some aspects of Anglo-Saxon culture and
language.

4. THE ANGLO-SAXON
PERIOD
The Anglo-Saxon period denotes the period of
British history between about 450 (their initial
settlement) and 1066 (the Norman Conquest).

5. Anglo-Saxon is also known as Old English,
and it is the language which, through the
centuries, has developed into the English
language we know today.
Anglo-Saxon is like a foreign language even to
a native speaker of English
THE ANGLO-SAXON
LANGUAGE

6. Swa þa drihtguman dreamum lifdon,
eadiglice, oð ðæt an ongan
fyrene fremman feond on helle;
wæs se grimma gæst Grendel haten,
mære mearcstapa, se þe moras heold,
fen ond fæsten; fifelcynnes eard
wonsæli wer weardode hwile,
siþðan him Scyppend forscrifen hæfde
in Caines cynne--- þone cwealm gewræc
ece Drihten, þæs þe he Abel slog;
ne gefeah he þære fæhðe, ac hehine feor forwræc,
Metod for þy mane mancynne fram.
OLD ENGLISH MODERN ENGLISH
So lived the clansmen in cheer and revel
a winsome life, till one began
to fashion evils, that field of hell.
Grendel this monster grim was called,
march-riever[5] mighty, in moorland living,
in fen and fastness; fief of the giants
the hapless wight a while had kept
since the Creator his exile doomed.
On kin of Cain was the killing avenged
by sovran God for slaughtered Abel.
Ill fared his feud,[6] and far was he driven,
for the slaughter's sake, from sight of men.
Can you recognise any modern English words in Old English?

7. ANGLO-SAXON SAGAS
Anglo-Saxon sagas are stories that mix
references to real events with characters and
events from Anglo-Saxon legends.
They were told to entertain people, particularly
at feasts which involved lots of eating and
drinking late into the night!

8. BEOWULF
What does each picture signify?
What conclusions can you draw on Beowulf?