Old English is the language and literature of the Anglo Saxon. Directly related to modern English (many of the our words came from Old English). It was the first oral (with Runic Inscriptions) then used alphabet (with some special characters) writing on manuscripts.
The English language and English literature began with the recorded history of Britain.
The early history of England includes five invasions which contributed to the development of the English language and influenced the literature:
Roman Invasion
There is no direct linguistic connection, the Roman occupation of Britain and their subsequent abandonment of the country set the stage for the most important invasion, the Anglo-Saxon invasion which provided the foundation of the English language.
Anglo-Saxon Invasion
The culture of the Anglo-Saxon is muchin evidence in Old English Literature, especially in the concept of the Germanic heroic ideal. The primary attribute of the heroic ideal was excellence- excellence in all that was important to the tribe: hunting, sea-faring, fighting.
Christian Invasion
The arrival of Christianity in Britain was as influential on the language and the culture, and therefore on the literature. Christianity was not unknown in Britain when St. Augustine arrived in 597 but had appeared during the time of the Romans. However, Christianity was suppressed along with the Celtic Tribes during Anglo-Saxon Invasions. St. Augustine arrived on a mission to Christianize the pagan Anglo-Saxons, and the literature of time bears witness to his influence. Celtic Christianity continued to spread from the northern and western reaches.
Viking Invasion
The Vikings were from the area now known as Scandinavia. While they shared cultural similarities with the Anglo-Saxons, they brought their own language, another impact on the development English Language. Words such as sky, skin, wagon, originated with the language of the Vikings.
Norman Invasion
The year 1066 is possibly the most important date in the history of Britain and in the development of the English Language. When William the Conqueror defeated the English King Harold at the battle of Hastings, he brought to England a new language and a new culture. Old French became the language of the court, of the government, the church, and all the aristocratic entities. Old English, the language of the Anglo-Saxons, existed only among conquered lower orders of society. However, within 3 to 400 years, the English language emerged, greatly enriched by French vocabulary and distinctly different from the Anglo-Saxon’s Old English, Chaucer’s Language, now referred to as Middle English.
Psalm XIII
The Prodigal Son
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