Birtish Lit Anglo-saxon and Mediaeval

Epic

a long narrative poem that explores heroic deeds and significant events

Scop

A poet or bard in Anglo-Saxon culture who recited epic poems and stories

Kenning

a compound expression in poetry with metaphorical meaning,

Alliteration

the repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words,

Old English

the early form of the English language

Monasteries

were religious communities where monks lived, prayed, and copied texts.

Illuminated Manuscripts

handwritten book decorated with gold, silver, vibrant colors, and detailed illustrations

Book of Kells

the most famous illuminated manuscripts to come out of he Irish monasteries

Earls

upper class in Anglo-Saxon society

churls

lower class in Anglo-Saxon society

Feudalism

form of government in which a lord granted land to a vassal in return for services

Pope Gregory 1

Sent Augustine as a missionary to pagan England, said “Not angles but angels.”

Augustine of Canterbury

Won England to Christianity, first archbisoph of Canterbury, sent by Pope Gregory 1

Alfred the Great

Defeated the Danes, adopted biblical law as the pattern for the law of his kingdom

Danes

Scandinavians from Norway and Denmark, plundered English coast and conquered England for short time. Also called Vikings

Vernacular

the common language of the people

Romance

narrative that centers on adventure, love and magic

Ballad

narrative song usually handed down by oral tradition

Ballad stanza

four lines of alternating iambic tetrameter and trimeter

Miracle play

a play about the life of a saint

Mystery play

a play about a Bible story

Morality play

a play about vices and virtues

William the Conqueror

duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold of Hastings, made himself king of England

Norman Conquest

William Normandy’s successful conquest of England. Fought at Hastings

Battle of Hastings

decisive battle for the Norman Conquest

Middle English

English spoken from the Norman Conquest to the late 1400s.

Richard Coeur de Lion

fought in the Crusades and was kIng of England (think Robin Hood)

Crusades

religious wars

King John

King Richards brother, nasty guy (think Robin Hood)

Magna Carta

John was forced to sign, said king was under law like everybody else

Cathedrals

bishops church

John Wycliffe

Translated Latin Bible to English