The English Language
This early form of English (500–1100) had a full inflection system.
What is Old English?
This Roman leader began the Roman conquest of Britain in 55 B.C.
Who is Julius Caesar?
This religion replaced Anglo-Saxon pagan traditions by the late 7th century.
What is Christianity?
These storytellers preserved history and celebrated heroes through song.
Who are scops or bards?
This kingdom was ruled by Alfred the Great.
What is Wessex?
This period of English (1100–1500) saw weakening inflections and is somewhat readable today.
What is Middle English?
In A.D. 449, these Germanic tribes invaded Britain.
Who are the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes?
This Anglo-Saxon concept means fate or destiny beyond personal control.
What is wyrd?
This loyalty-based relationship between lord and warrior shaped Anglo-Saxon society.
What is the comitatus?
By 850 AD, these three major kingdoms dominated Anglo-Saxon England.
What are Northumbria, Mercia, and Wessex?
This version of English (1500–present) has almost no inflections and uses modern syntax.
What is Modern English?
This battle in 1066 marked the end of Anglo-Saxon rule.
What is the Battle of Hastings?
This Celtic belief involved spiritual beings influencing human life.
What is animism?
This 1939 archaeological discovery in East Anglia revealed a ship burial similar to Beowulf.
What is Sutton Hoo?
In the feudal system, this person owned all the land.
Who is the King?
This king began the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and helped elevate English as a language of merit.
Who is King Alfred the Great?
This conqueror defeated the Anglo-Saxons and imposed Norman law and language.
Who is William the Conqueror?
This Anglo-Saxon god is similar to the Norse god Odin.
Who is Woden?
Anglo-Saxons valued these four earthly virtues above mysticism.
What are bravery, loyalty, generosity, and friendship?
These individuals were the lowest on the social scale and farmed land.
Who are serfs?
This term describes local languages written instead of Latin.
What is vernacular?
These seafaring warriors began invading in 793 and later conquered much of England.
Who are the Vikings?
These Celtic priests acted as intermediaries between gods and people.
Who are Druids?
Unlike later Norman society, Anglo-Saxon women were allowed to do this with property.
What is inherit and hold property?
This system was based on land ownership and loyalty after the Norman Conquest.
What is the feudal system?