Anglo-Saxon Literature and Dance and theatre in England

The first words in English, written in Anglo-Saxon dialect known as Old English, appeared in the early Middle Ages. The earliest known is the anthem of Caedmon. At that time it was very important oral tradition and much of the literary works were written in order to be represented. Epic poems were very popular and some, like Beowulf, have survived to this day.

This language is closely related to the current Norwegian and Icelandic language, so the Anglo verses were probably an adaptation of the first war poems and Germanic Vikings who came from the mainland. When this poem reached England, still transmitted orally from generation to generation, the constant presence of alliterative verse, or rhyme, that whites helped the easily remembered.

The first written literature appears in the time when St. Augustine of Canterbury founded monasteries primitive Christians language adapted to the needs of Christian readers. Even without its bloodiest lines, the Vikings were bloodthirsty war poems: in the stories there was always a sense of imminent danger. Sooner or later everything had its purpose. When William the Conqueror in England became part of the Norman kingdom (in 1066), Old English poetry continued reading and language usage spread.