Through an in-depth analysis of various primary and secondary sources, including excerpts from a modern English translation of the Anglo-Saxon heroic epic Beowulf, students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain the story of Beowulf’s adventures fighting in defense of others, how the epic poem fits into the overall story of Anglo-Saxon culture and why the poem continues to be studied over 1000 years after it first appeared in writing.

Through an in-depth analysis of various primary and secondary sources, including excerpts from Bede’s "Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum" ("Ecclesiastical History of the English People"), students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain how and why Bede wrote his most famous work (including his motives for writing it), and why Bede’s History has been so important to the study of Latin Christendom and Medieval England for the last 1100 years.

Through an in-depth analysis of various primary and secondary sources students in this lesson will identify, understand and be able to explain the Anglo-Saxon period in English history, including why the “invaders” or “settlers” (depending on perspective) came to the former Roman province of Britannia, how the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms functioned politically and culturally during the time they were in control of the island, why the Normans were able to conquer Britain in 1066, and finally how Anglo-Saxon culture influenced (and continues to influence) modern British culture today.