Dbq Anglo Saxon Life Essay

The Anglo-Saxons, descendants of three Germanic tribes, the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes, inhabited Great Britain in the 5th century. The Anglo-Saxon period ran from the 5th century to the time of the Norman Conquest in 1066, where they ruled over lands that are today part of England and Wales. During this period, those apart of Anglo-Saxon tribes spoke different dialects, which later became known as Old English. Because of various dialects, literature had developed, which was where the epic poem, Beowulf, came to be. During their time, the Anglo-Saxons valued many things, including poetry but most importantly there tie to their religion and loyalty to one another. Religion was very important in the eyes of the Anglo-Saxons. They originally

The protection of one another was very important to them. Document B: Anglo-Saxon Life: The Warm Hall, the Cold World, “ This pattern of loyal dependency was basic to Anglo-Saxon life. Such loyalty grew out of a need to protect the group from the terrors of an enemy-infested wilderness—a wilderness that became particularly frightening during the long, bone-chilling nights of winter. In most of England, the Anglo- Saxons tended to live close to their animals in single-family homesteads, wooden buildings that surrounded a communal court or a warm, fire-lit chieftain’s hall. This cluster of buildings was protected by a wooden stockade fence. The arrangement contributed to a sense of security and to the close relationship between leader and followers.” This document, referring to their value of loyalty, shows how the Anglo-Saxons lived in close-knit community’s where they were able to protect one another from their enemies. As a community, along with there protection of one another they also took part in poetry. Document D: The Bards: Singing of Gods and Heroes, “The poets sang to the strumming of a harp. As sources for their improvisational poetry, the storytellers had a rich supply of heroic tales that reflected the concerns of a people constantly under threat of war, disease, or old age.” This document not only shows their part in poetry, but also their loyalty to one