The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

1066 - 14851066 - 1485

A Quick Review…A Quick Review…

Stupid Deaths - King Harold's Brothers

I. The Norman ConquestI. The Norman Conquest

Began in October 1066 when Began in October 1066 when Duke William of Duke William of Normandy (William the Conqueror)Normandy (William the Conqueror) defeated King defeated King Harold of England at the Harold of England at the Battle of Hastings

A. A. William was the cousin of English King Edward William was the cousin of English King Edward the the Confessor who was childless when he dies in Confessor who was childless when he dies in 10661066

- Harold, the Earl of Wessex, was crowned King, but Harold, the Earl of Wessex, was crowned King, but William claimed Edward promised him the throne.William claimed Edward promised him the throne.

B.B. William wanted to rule the Anglo-Saxons, William wanted to rule the Anglo-Saxons, not eliminate not eliminate them. The two cultures intermingled. (sort them. The two cultures intermingled. (sort of…)of…)

Normonopoly!

I. The Norman Conquest I. The Norman Conquest cont’dcont’d

C. C. One of William’s great administrative feats was the One of William’s great administrative feats was the Domesday Domesday BookBook – an inventory of nearly every piece of – an inventory of nearly every piece of property in property in EnglandEngland

- For the first time people - For the first time people could be taxed could be taxed basedbased on on what they owned what they owned

D.D. William divided the holdings of the fallen English William divided the holdings of the fallen English landowners landowners among his own followersamong his own followers

- They created a new social system - They created a new social system FEUDALISMFEUDALISM

II. FeudalismII. Feudalism Feudalism is a pyramid system (caste Feudalism is a pyramid system (caste

system) based on a system) based on a religious concept of religious concept of hierarchy with God as the supreme hierarchy with God as the supreme overlordoverlord

Pyramid PowerPyramid Power

II. Feudalism II. Feudalism cont’dcont’d

A. A. The primary duty of males above the The primary duty of males above the serf serf class was military service to their class was military service to their lords.lords.

1. 1. Boys were trained from an early age to become Boys were trained from an early age to become warriors. They were dubbed a knight upon warriors. They were dubbed a knight upon

completion completion of their training.of their training.2. 2. Knighthood was grounded in the Knighthood was grounded in the feudal ideal of feudal ideal of

loyaltyloyalty. . The virtues of chivalry included:The virtues of chivalry included:- Humility- Humility- Loyalty to God, king, and country- Loyalty to God, king, and country- Courage- Courage- Honor- Honor- Being true to one’s word- Being true to one’s word- Protection of the weak- Protection of the weak- Respect for women- Respect for women- Generosity- Generosity- Fairness to enemies- Fairness to enemies- Developing one’s skills- Developing one’s skills- Determination to fight evil- Determination to fight evil

Brave Sir Robin

II. Feudalism II. Feudalism cont’dcont’d

B.B. The feudal system did not always work The feudal system did not always work if a if a vassal (a feudal tenant) chose not to vassal (a feudal tenant) chose not to honor honor his obligations to a weak overlord.his obligations to a weak overlord.

- A man’s word was the cornerstone of social - A man’s word was the cornerstone of social lifelife

C.C. Since they were not soldiers, Since they were not soldiers, women women had no had no political rightspolitical rights in this system. in this system.

- A woman’s social standing depended - A woman’s social standing depended completely on completely on her husband’s or father’s status.her husband’s or father’s status.

- Women were subservient to men, but they ran - Women were subservient to men, but they ran things when things when their husbands were awaytheir husbands were away

The Feudal System: Lego StyleThe Feudal System: Lego Style

III. ChivalryIII. Chivalry

Chivalry lead to an idealized attitude Chivalry lead to an idealized attitude toward women and gave rise to a new toward women and gave rise to a new form of literature – the Romanceform of literature – the Romance

A.A. Chivalry was a system of ideals and Chivalry was a system of ideals and social social codes governing the behavior of codes governing the behavior of knights and knights and gentlewomen.gentlewomen.

1. Adhere to one’s oath of loyalty to the overlord1. Adhere to one’s oath of loyalty to the overlord

2. Observe certain rules of warfare2. Observe certain rules of warfare

III. Chivalry III. Chivalry cont’dcont’d

B.B. Courtly love Courtly love non-sexual non-sexual acting acting in the name of a ladyin the name of a lady

- A knight would wear his lady’s colors, but the lady - A knight would wear his lady’s colors, but the lady remained remained pure and out of reachpure and out of reach

literary exampleliterary example: Lancelot and Guinevere : Lancelot and Guinevere crossed crossed the line, and Camelot fellthe line, and Camelot fell

C.C. Women’s position in society did not Women’s position in society did not improveimprove

IV. Medieval Society IV. Medieval Society

For the most part medieval society For the most part medieval society centered around centered around the feudal castlethe feudal castle, but as the population grew, many , but as the population grew, many people lived in towns and cities.people lived in towns and cities.A.A. This led to the eventual This led to the eventual collapse of the European feudal collapse of the European feudal systemsystem

B.B. It led to the development of lower, middle, and upper-It led to the development of lower, middle, and upper-middle middle classesclasses

literary example: The Prologue in the literary example: The Prologue in the Canterbury Canterbury TalesTales

C.C. These people were free, tied neither to the land nor to These people were free, tied neither to the land nor to knighthood and chivalryknighthood and chivalry

- This point of view was expressed in ballads, in mystery - This point of view was expressed in ballads, in mystery and and miracle plays, in cathedrals, and in municipal buildingsmiracle plays, in cathedrals, and in municipal buildings

V. Specific Events that V. Specific Events that Influence English History and Influence English History and

LiteratureLiterature Crash Course - The CrusadesCrash Course - The Crusades Several specific events radically influence the course of English Several specific events radically influence the course of English

history and literaturehistory and literature

A. A. CRUSADESCRUSADES (1095-1270) were a series of wars (1095-1270) were a series of wars waged waged by European Christians against Muslimsby European Christians against Muslims

1. 1. Jerusalem and the Holy LandJerusalem and the Holy Land was the prize was the prize

2. The Europeans failed, but they benefited enormously 2. The Europeans failed, but they benefited enormously from contact with the higher civilization from contact with the higher civilization

of the of the Middle EastMiddle East

V. Specific Events that V. Specific Events that Influence English History and Influence English History and

Literature Literature cont’dcont’dB.B. The 1170 martyrdom of Thomas a BecketThe 1170 martyrdom of Thomas a Becket, the , the Archbishop of Canterbury, led to greater power for the Church Archbishop of Canterbury, led to greater power for the Church of Rome.of Rome.

1. Thomas, a Norman, has risen to great power under his friend King 1. Thomas, a Norman, has risen to great power under his friend King Henry II Henry II (reigned 1154-1189)(reigned 1154-1189)

2. All Christians belonged to the 2. All Christians belonged to the Catholic ChurchCatholic Church

3. The pope in those days was enormously powerful and controlled 3. The pope in those days was enormously powerful and controlled most of the most of the crowned heads of Europecrowned heads of Europe

4. Henry hoped to gain the upper hand in disputes with the church, 4. Henry hoped to gain the upper hand in disputes with the church, but often but often Thomas took the pope’s sideThomas took the pope’s side

5. Four of 5. Four of Henry’s knights murdered Becket in his own cathedralHenry’s knights murdered Becket in his own cathedral. . Becket Becket became a martyr, and public outrage turned against King Henrybecame a martyr, and public outrage turned against King Henry

6. This outrage helped to develop the concept of corruption in the 6. This outrage helped to develop the concept of corruption in the church church because the church was allowed to gain greater power (show in because the church was allowed to gain greater power (show in TCTTCT))

7. The medieval church did have one positive effect: it fostered 7. The medieval church did have one positive effect: it fostered cultural unitycultural unity

a. The church continued to be the center of learninga. The church continued to be the center of learning

b. The church fostered common beliefs and symbolsb. The church fostered common beliefs and symbols

Old School Trailer for Becket

V. Specific Events that V. Specific Events that Influence English History and Influence English History and

Literature Literature cont’dcont’dThe Magna CartaThe Magna Carta

C.C. In 1215 English barons forced King In 1215 English barons forced King John (who was backed strongly by the John (who was backed strongly by the pope) to sign the pope) to sign the Magna CartaMagna Carta as an effort as an effort to curb the Church’s powerto curb the Church’s power

1. Heralded a return to older, democratic 1. Heralded a return to older, democratic tendenciestendencies

2. This document later became the basis for 2. This document later became the basis for English English constitutional lawconstitutional law

V. Specific Events that V. Specific Events that Influence English History and Influence English History and

Literature Literature cont’dcont’dD.D. The English lost the The English lost the Hundred Years’ WarHundred Years’ War (1337- (1337-1453) with France, but in the process they began to 1453) with France, but in the process they began to think of themselves as British rather than Anglo-think of themselves as British rather than Anglo-NormanNorman1. This may be considered the 1. This may be considered the first national warfirst national war waged by waged by England against FranceEngland against France

2. Based on dubious claims to the throne of France by two 2. Based on dubious claims to the throne of France by two English Kings: Edward III (reigned 1327-1377) and Henry V English Kings: Edward III (reigned 1327-1377) and Henry V (reigned 1413-1422)(reigned 1413-1422)

3. After the war England was no longer best represented by 3. After the war England was no longer best represented by the knight. Instead, the were represented by the the knight. Instead, the were represented by the yeomanyeoman (small landowner)(small landowner)

a. With this, modern democratic England was borna. With this, modern democratic England was born

b. An English national consciousness gradually developedb. An English national consciousness gradually developed

V. Specific Events that V. Specific Events that Influence English History and Influence English History and

Literature Literature cont’dcont’dE. E. The Black Death or bubonic plagueThe Black Death or bubonic plague (1348- (1348-1349) delivered another blow to feudalism1349) delivered another blow to feudalism

11. Very contagious; spread by fleas from infected rats. Very contagious; spread by fleas from infected rats2. Reduced the nation’s population by 1/32. Reduced the nation’s population by 1/3

- This was approximately 34 million people- This was approximately 34 million people- This caused a labor shortage which gave the lower - This caused a labor shortage which gave the lower

class class more leverage against their overlordsmore leverage against their overlords

3. One long term result was the serfs’ freedom and 3. One long term result was the serfs’ freedom and greater greater power to the lower classpower to the lower class

4. This led to the end of feudalism marking the end 4. This led to the end of feudalism marking the end of the Middle Agesof the Middle Ages

HH Bubonic PlagueHH Bubonic PlagueBring Out Your DeadBring Out Your Dead

Capuchin Crypt

Bone ChandelierBone Chandelier

Capuchin Crypt in ItalyCapuchin Crypt in Italy

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection

Illuminated ManuscriptsIlluminated ManuscriptsBeautiful works of art – Beautiful works of art –

often using gold foil. Veryoften using gold foil. Very

time consuming and time consuming and

expensive to produce.expensive to produce.

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer

1387: Poem about the pilgrimage to St. 1387: Poem about the pilgrimage to St. Thomas a’ Becket’s shrineThomas a’ Becket’s shrine

Composed in Middle EnglishComposed in Middle English

The Prologue in Middle EnglishThe Prologue in Middle English

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection The Pilgrimage to Becket’s ShrineThe Pilgrimage to Becket’s Shrine

Remember: Becket disagreed with King Henry Remember: Becket disagreed with King Henry II and was murdered in Canterbury CathedralII and was murdered in Canterbury Cathedral

There have been several miracles in this cathedralThere have been several miracles in this cathedral After all the miracles, a shrine was put up in the After all the miracles, a shrine was put up in the

cathedralcathedral Becket was canonized a saintBecket was canonized a saint People set out on a pilgrimage, to Canterbury People set out on a pilgrimage, to Canterbury

Cathedral to pay homage to the shire of St. Cathedral to pay homage to the shire of St. Thomas a’ Becket. Some believed that shrine had Thomas a’ Becket. Some believed that shrine had healing powershealing powers

Canterbury Cathedral VisitCanterbury Cathedral Visit

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales SETTING: April, The Tabard InnSETTING: April, The Tabard Inn ““Prologue”- 29 pilgrims, the narrator, and Prologue”- 29 pilgrims, the narrator, and

the inn host are introducedthe inn host are introduced The 29 are spending the night at the Tabard The 29 are spending the night at the Tabard

Inn.Inn. The Narrator says he will describe and repeat The Narrator says he will describe and repeat

everything he hears no matter how offensive.everything he hears no matter how offensive. The Host proposes that each pilgrim tell 2 tales on The Host proposes that each pilgrim tell 2 tales on

the way there and back.the way there and back. The best tale will win dinner at the InnThe best tale will win dinner at the Inn

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales The pilgrims are made up of all 3 The pilgrims are made up of all 3

divisions of class in medieval society:divisions of class in medieval society:

Feudal classFeudal class

The ChurchThe Church

Merchant classMerchant class

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection

The PrologueThe Prologue Chaucer’s characterization was unlike anything Chaucer’s characterization was unlike anything

ever written before.ever written before. He creates a human encyclopedia by describing He creates a human encyclopedia by describing

physical, social, mannerisms, beliefs, and morals physical, social, mannerisms, beliefs, and morals of each character. of each character.

The CharactersThe Characters

After the pilgrims are introduced in the prologue After the pilgrims are introduced in the prologue each character tells his or her own tale.each character tells his or her own tale.

Literature ConnectionLiterature Connection

Medieval Romance- Medieval Romance- Historically, a medieval verse narrative chronicling the adventures of a brave knight or other hero who must undertake a quest and overcome great danger for love of a noble lady or high ideal.

 

Literature Connection Literature Connection Medieval Romance Medieval Romance

Such heroic characters are bound by the code of chivalry, which emphasizes loyalty to one’s lord and ready service to the oppressed.

 

Literature Connection Literature Connection Medieval Romance Medieval Romance

They also adhere to the principle of courtly love, an idealized relationship between the sexes in which men perform brave deeds to win the approval of their ladies.

 

Literature Connection Literature Connection Medieval RomanceMedieval Romance

Chivalry Courtly Love Loyalty Quest Supernatural Damsel in Distress

Literature ConnectionLiterature ConnectionBalladsBallads

The Bonny SwansThe Bonny Swans A A medieval balladmedieval ballad is a formalized story, is a formalized story,

told in a situational style and is sung to a told in a situational style and is sung to a tune. Ballads were characteristic of British tune. Ballads were characteristic of British and Irish popular poetry and song from and Irish popular poetry and song from the medieval period until the 19th century the medieval period until the 19th century and used extensively across Europe. and used extensively across Europe.