Anglo-Saxon's History and Life
Which were the Germanic tribes that invaded Britain at the beginning of 449 A.D.?
A stock metaphorical phrase used in place of a simple noun, such as "whale-road" for the sea or "life-house" for the body.
Kenning
What's the name of the demonic monster who terrorized the mead hall Herot for twelve winters?
Grendel
Who's the Geatish hero who sailed across the sea and tore off Grendel’s arm with his bare hands?
Beowulf
Who was the Saxon king of Wessex who defeated the Danes at the Battle of Edington in 878 and unified non-Danish England?
King Alfred the Great
What's the name of the literary device in which initial consonant sounds in nearby words or stressed syllables are repeated, heavily used in Old English poetry?
Alliteration
Who's the swamp-dwelling creature that attacked Herot to avenge her son's death and reclaimed Grendel's severed arm?
Grendel's mother
What's the name of the king of the Danes whose hall was protected by God from Grendel’s touch?
King Hrothgar
What's the name of the large banquet halls where Anglo-Saxon warriors feasted, drank, and listened to poets?
Mead Halls
What's the name of the literary device that is a natural pause near the middle of a line of Old English verse, dividing it into two balanced parts?
Caesura
What's the fiery beast that awakened 50 years into Beowulf's reign after a man stole a gem-studded cup from its tower?
The Dragon
Who's the loyal young warrior who stayed to help Beowulf defeat the dragon after all other soldiers fled?
Wiglaf
In what year did the Anglo-Saxon era end? Who was the king defeated by William, the Duke of Normandy, during the Battle of Hastings?
1066
The king defeated by the Duke of Normandy was King Harold II.
What language did the Anglo-Saxons speak?
Clue: It derived from a mixture of Germanic dialects and Celtic influences
Old English
What's the murky, boiling lair where Grendel's mother lived and where Beowulf sank for hours to confront her?
The underwater lake / marsh lair
What's the name of Beowulf's king and uncle, to whom he asked his mail armor to be sent if he died in battle?
Higlac
What's the term used to refer to those Bards or poets who sang heroic songs at banquets, offering warriors a chance at earthly immortality?
The Scops.
A poetic genre that mourns a loss or laments the fleeting nature of life's joys.
Which ancient, jeweled weapon did Beowulf find in the underwater hall and use to decapitate Grendel's mother before its blade dissolved in her blood?
The giant's sword
What's the name of Beowulf's ancient sword that snapped when he struck the dragon's head because his arms were too strong?
Nagling