Annotated Bibliography: The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
Research paper
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
(1066)
Ms HOLIN Sophie
British Civilization
Mrs BRAY & Mrs CARON
Université Catholique de Lille
November 29th 2007
This text is an extract from the Peterborough version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which is a collection of annals narrating the Anglo-Saxon history. The first edition of these annals was written during Alfred the Great’s reign; that is to say during the ninth century. But there are different versions according to the regions. That is why each manuscript shows its author’s subjectivity. These chronicles are a primary source of the time, as well as the Bayeux Tapestry. They were written by monks, that is why we can feel the religious dimension and morality throughout the work. They collected the pieces of information and gathered them in the annals. Nevertheless, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle omits some key elements of the English history, is written very simply and avoids long explanations. These elements enhance the biased dimension of the texts. Moreover, …show more content…
William the Conqueror had been king of England until 1087, when he died. The year 1066 is a clear historical turning point. Indeed, it witnessed the growth of the French domination in power, which implicated a new art of work, a new culture. Language changed a lot, because of the French influence, and William crushed any form of resistance. In the extract there is a slight reference to the architectural contribution of the Normans, who built “castles widely through this country” (l.75), the Normans also built several castles. The most known of them is the castle of Hastings[5]. William also put to power his fellow followers, taking the previous English noblemen’s responsibilities down. But the most important change is the raise of a new system: the feudal system. This new system was characterized by the absence of a central authority and a new
The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle
(1066)
Ms HOLIN Sophie
British Civilization
Mrs BRAY & Mrs CARON
Université Catholique de Lille
November 29th 2007
This text is an extract from the Peterborough version of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, which is a collection of annals narrating the Anglo-Saxon history. The first edition of these annals was written during Alfred the Great’s reign; that is to say during the ninth century. But there are different versions according to the regions. That is why each manuscript shows its author’s subjectivity. These chronicles are a primary source of the time, as well as the Bayeux Tapestry. They were written by monks, that is why we can feel the religious dimension and morality throughout the work. They collected the pieces of information and gathered them in the annals. Nevertheless, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle omits some key elements of the English history, is written very simply and avoids long explanations. These elements enhance the biased dimension of the texts. Moreover, …show more content…
William the Conqueror had been king of England until 1087, when he died. The year 1066 is a clear historical turning point. Indeed, it witnessed the growth of the French domination in power, which implicated a new art of work, a new culture. Language changed a lot, because of the French influence, and William crushed any form of resistance. In the extract there is a slight reference to the architectural contribution of the Normans, who built “castles widely through this country” (l.75), the Normans also built several castles. The most known of them is the castle of Hastings[5]. William also put to power his fellow followers, taking the previous English noblemen’s responsibilities down. But the most important change is the raise of a new system: the feudal system. This new system was characterized by the absence of a central authority and a new