30 Questions
What was the purpose of wergild?
To provide compensation for the family of a person killed or injured
Where did the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes come from?
Scandinavia
Who owned most of the land in England in the 11th century?
The Church
When and how did the Romans take over Britain?
In 55 BC through a military conquest
What happened in Britain in the 8th and 9th centuries?
The Viking invasions
Who was King Alfred and what did he do?
An Anglo-Saxon king who defended England against Viking invasions
What is the single most valued heroic type in Anglo-Saxon society?
Warrior
What four virtues did the Anglo-Saxon heroic type embody that were important to their society?
Courage, Loyalty, Generosity, Hospitality
What is a comitatus in Anglo-Saxon society?
Warrior band
What is mead in the context of Anglo-Saxon society?
A fermented honey drink
How did the Germanic religious beliefs concerning an afterlife influence Anglo-Saxon warriors?
It made them fearless in battle.
What is an epic hero in the context of Beowulf?
A protagonist with noble qualities.
What distinction does the poem Beowulf have in terms of literature?
It is the only epic poem composed in Old English.
When was the poem Beowulf actually written down? By whom? Where is the Beowulf manuscript today?
9th century – Anonymous scribes – British Library
What was the significance of wergild in Anglo-Saxon society?
It was the legal price for committing crimes against others
Where did most of the towns in medieval England tend to be located?
Near the coast for trade purposes
Who were the original inhabitants of England before the arrival of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes?
Celts
What happened in Britain in 1066 that had a significant historical impact?
The Battle of Hastings and the Norman Conquest
Why did the Romans leave Britain during the decline of the Roman Empire?
They needed to focus on defending Rome from barbarian invasions
What role did King Alfred play in English history?
He united Anglo-Saxon kingdoms against Viking invasions
What is the significance of wyrd in Anglo-Saxon society?
It was a belief in fate that influenced the actions of the warriors
What did the bards or scops create for Anglo-Saxon society?
Epic poems
What cultural values does an epic hero like Beowulf embody?
Courage, loyalty, and wisdom
What are the two most important influences on Anglo-Saxon literature?
Christianity and Germanic traditions
What does the plot of an epic usually involve?
Heroic deeds and challenges
What is a kenning in Anglo-Saxon literature?
'A metaphorical phrase used instead of a name'
What are the five standard features of the epic form according to Homer?
'In medias res,' 'Elevated language,' 'Invocation to the muse,' 'Epic similes,' 'Use of epithets'
What is considered the earliest surviving epic?
'The Epic of Gilgamesh' from Mesopotamia
What did the Anglo-Saxons bring to Britain?
'Their language and culture'
What were the Germanic religious beliefs concerning an afterlife?
'They believed in an afterlife that was dependent on one's actions in this life'
Test your knowledge of the Anglo-Saxon period and epic warriors with this quiz. Identify the locations associated with significant figures and events in British history and literature.
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