The Historical Background – From Roman Exit to Anglo-Saxon England

The Historical Background – From Roman Exit to Anglo-Saxon England

🏛️ Introduction

To truly understand Old English Literature, we must first explore the historical world that created it. English literature didn’t emerge from nowhere—it was shaped by invasions, cultural shifts, language changes, and the rise and fall of empires.

In this #2 article traces the path from the Roman occupation of Britain, through their withdrawal, and into the period when Germanic tribes reshaped the land into what we now call England.

🏺 1. Roman Britain (43–410 AD)

The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD under Emperor Claudius and ruled for nearly four centuries. They brought:

Roads, cities, and forts

Christianity (in late 3rd century)

Latin as the written language

A strong military and administrative system

But the Romans left very little influence on early English literature, because:

Their language (Latin) was not adopted by local people

They left no significant native literary tradition behind

🔍 So while they shaped Britain’s infrastructure, the Romans didn’t plant the seeds of English literary culture.

🛡️ 2. The Fall of Rome & Power Vacuum (410 AD)

In 410 AD, the Roman Empire was collapsing due to internal conflict and barbarian invasions. Roman troops withdrew from Britain, leaving behind a political and military vacuum.

This created chaos:

Local Britons had no strong central government

Tribal kingdoms and warlords emerged

Vulnerable coastlines attracted raiders and settlers from across the sea

⚔️ 3. The Arrival of the Anglo-Saxons (Mid-5th Century)

Soon after, three major Germanic tribes invaded Britain:

Angles

Saxons

Jutes

They came from areas that are now Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

These tribes:

Defeated native Britons

Pushed them westward into Wales and Cornwall

Established kingdoms like Northumbria, Mercia, Wessex, and Kent

Brought with them a new language (Old English) and oral storytelling traditions

✍️ This is where Old English literature truly begins — in fire, war, and migration.

🏹 4. A New Culture Forms: Pagan Roots and Warrior Ethic

The early Anglo-Saxons were:

Pagans who believed in Norse gods (Odin, Thor, etc.)

Structured around tribal loyalty and warrior values

Obsessed with fame, glory, and honor in battle

This warrior culture deeply influenced early literature:

Heroes were strong, brave, and loyal

Fate (or wyrd) was seen as unchangeable

Poetry celebrated warriors and mourned fallen comrades

Poets, called scops, composed and recited tales to honor heroes and preserve cultural memory.

🛐 5. The Spread of Christianity (597 AD Onwards)

In 597 AD, St. Augustine arrived in Kent to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity.

The impact of Christianity was massive:

Introduced reading and writing through Latin

Encouraged the copying of texts in monasteries

Blended Christian themes with pagan legends

Produced the first known English poet: Caedmon

Now, monks began preserving oral poetry in written form, giving rise to:

Religious poetry

Historical chronicles

Theological prose

📚 6. The Role of Monasteries and Scribes

Monasteries became the intellectual centers of early England:

Monks wrote in both Latin and Old English

They copied down poems like Beowulf, The Dream of the Rood, and religious homilies

They preserved both Christian texts and heroic legends

Without monasteries, much of Old English literature would have disappeared forever.

🧾 7. Key Dates to Remember Year Event

43 AD Roman conquest of Britain begins

410 AD Romans withdraw from Britain

450 AD Anglo-Saxon invasions begin

597 AD St. Augustine arrives; Christianity spreads

731 AD Bede writes The Ecclesiastical History of the English People

871–899 AD Reign of King Alfred the Great—literary revival begins

🧠 Conclusion: 

The World that Shaped Old English Literature

Old English literature grew out of hardship, migration, warfare, and spiritual change. It was created by a people who honored their ancestors, fought for survival, and slowly adapted to the written word.

By understanding this historical foundation, we understand why early English poems speak of fate, exile, glory, and God — because those were the realities of life in Anglo-Saxon England.

⚠️ Without this history, literature would not have found its voice.