1. The Middle Ages: 1066–1485 Introduction to the Literary Period Interactive Time Line Milestone: The Norman Conquest Milestone: The Age of Feudalism Milestone: The Magna Carta Milestone: The Decline of Feudalism Milestone: The Black Death Milestone: The Hundred Years’ War What Have You Learned? Feature Menu

2. The Middle Ages: 1066–1485 1066 Norman Conquest 1215 Magna Carta 1300s–1400s Decline of Feudalism 1348–1349 Black Death Choose a link on the time line to go to a milestone. 1300 12001100 10001400 1500 1000s–1300s Age of Feudalism 1337–1453 Hundred Years’ War

3. a duke from Normandy, France The Norman Conquest William the Conqueror claimed the English throne had been promised to him crosses the English Channel with a huge army In 1066... defeats King Harold at the Battle of Hastings

4. The Norman Conquest The Normans Change England land divided among William’s followers from Normandy more contact with European civilization a new language—French a new social system— feudalism

5. The Age of Feudalism Feudalism social, property, and military system based on a religious concept of rank King Lords powerful landowners Vassals did work or military service for feudal lords in exchange for land Serfs servants to lords and vassals, bound to their master’s land some vassals appointed by king in return for loyalty lords (powerful vassals) appoint their own vassals

6. The Age of Feudalism Knights in Shining Armor provided military service to lords often the sons of nobles began training at an early age wore very heavy armor into battle followed a code of chivalry

7. The Age of Feudalism Code of Chivalry A code of conduct that covered whom to defend — knight’s lord, the king, and the Christian faith how to treat a lady— courtly love how to help others how to resist the urge to run away if captured

8. The Age of Feudalism Courtly Love The knight glorified the lady in words adored the lady and was inspired by her The lady was set above her admirer remained pure and out of reach

9. The Age of Feudalism The Romance new genre of literature inspired by legends of chivalrous knights hero goes on quest to conquer evil enemy includes stories of distant, idealized courtly love hero often has magical help

10. The Age of Feudalism The Crusades (1095—1270) series of holy wars waged by European Christians against Muslims in the Middle East ultimately unsuccessful Europeans benefit from contact with Arab civilizationbenefit

11. The Age of Feudalism Benefits to Europeans from Crusades Examples of sophisticated culture to which Europeans were exposed include medical knowledge — first accurate study of smallpox and measles universities such as Al-Azhar University in Cairo, one of the oldest universities in the world public libraries in Damascus and Baghdad wealthy cities such as Cairo providing links to spice trade

12. The Magna Carta 1215 Magna Carta—“Great Charter” signed by King John, under pressure from English barons protected rights of aristocrats meant a return to more democratic tendencies No freeman shall be taken, or imprisoned, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way harmed, nor will we go upon him nor will we send upon him, except by the legal judgment of his peers or by the law of the land. To none will we sell, to none deny or delay, right or justice. —Magna Carta, clauses 39 and 40

13. The Decline of Feudalism townspeople not tied to master’s land or to knighthood city people’s tastes influence arts—ballads, miracle plays, and so on Growth of Cities and Towns merchant class—people earn their own money

14. The Decline of Feudalism Before the Crusades foreign coins are melted down few coins exist Monetary System feudal lords make coins for use on their own property only serfs use barter system After the Crusades gold coins are used peasants can earn gold in exchange for labor or goods peasants can save money, have greater buying and selling power

15. 1348–1349 Black Death Black Death (bubonic plague) The Black Death England’s population is reduced by one-third. Labor shortage gives lower classes more bargaining power. Over time, serfs gain freedom. highly contagious and fatal disease, spread by the fleas on infected rats factor in decline of feudalism

16. The Black Death The symptoms of the bubonic plague included blotches on the skin hardening and swelling of the glands under the armpit or in the groin delirium insanity Death strangling a victim of the plague. From the Stiney Codex. Czeckoslovakia, 14th century.

17. leads to British national consciousness 1337–1453 war between England and France England unsuccessful The Hundred Years’ War Yeoman begin to become dominant force (instead of knights) small landowners with longbows

18. __________ A labor shortage gives serfs more bargaining power. __________ The English are exposed to Eastern cultures and knowledge. __________ Yeomen replace knights as main military group. Black Death The CrusadesBlack DeathHundred Years’ War What Have You Learned? Match the cause to its effect. Hundred Years’ War The Crusades CauseEffect

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20. Viewing the Art The Middle Ages This illustration from the Golf Book of Hours shows peasants taking a break from their work in the fields. Activity: What elements in the illustration suggest that it is a romanticized view of peasant life?