Anglo-Saxon

Anglo-Saxon is an older name for Old English literature, especially the poetry written in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066. In poetry study, the term usually points to works such as Beowulf and to the alliterative verse tradition of that period.

See Old English.

Example

Beowulf is the best-known Anglo-Saxon poem, and its heavy alliteration shows the sound pattern typical of Old English verse.

Related Definitions

[n] English prior to about 1100
[n] a native or inhabitant of England prior to the Norman conquest
[n] a person of Anglo-Saxon (especially British) descent whose native tongue is English and whose culture is strongly influenced by English culture as in"WASP for `White Anglo-Saxon Protestant'"; "this Anglo-Saxon view of things"
[adj] of or relating to the Anglo-Saxons or their language; "Anglo-Saxon poetry"; "The Anglo-Saxon population of Scotland"

Links

Synonyms

Old English

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