what was the first literature of the anglo-saxons
Old English literature Old English literature or Anglo-Saxon literature, encompasses literature written in Old English, in Anglo-Saxon England from the 7th century to the decades after the Norman Conquest of 1066. "Cædmon's Hymn", composed in the 7th century, according to Bede, is often considered the oldest extant poem in English, whereas the later poem, The Grave is one of the final poems written in Old English, and presents a transitional text between Old and Middle English.[1] The Peterborough Chronicle can also be considered a late-period text, continuing into the 12th century.
History of Anglo-Saxon England As the Roman occupation of Britain was coming to an end, Constantine III withdrew the remains of the army, in reaction to the barbarian invasion of Europe.[5][6] The Romano-British leaders were faced with an increasing security problem from seaborne raids, particularly by Picts on the East coast of England.[7] The expedient adopted by the Romano-British leaders was to enlist the help of Anglo-Saxon mercenaries (known as foederati), to whom they ceded territory.[7][8] In about 442 the Anglo-Saxons mutinied, apparently because they had not been paid.[9] The Romano-British responded by appealing to the Roman commander of the Western empire, AÃ«tius for help (a document known as the Groans of the Britons), even though Honorius, the Western Roman Emperor, had written to the British civitas in or about 410 telling them to look to their own defence.[10][11][12][13] There then followed several years of fighting between the British and the Anglo-Saxons.[14] The fighting continued until around 500, when, at the Battle of Mount Badon, the Britons inflicted a severe defeat on the Anglo-Saxons.[15]