1. The Middle Ages

2. You What “classes” exist today? What power does “the church” have today? What “unwritten rules” exist today?

3. Background Lasted from 1066-1485 Begins with William the Conquer taking The Battle of Hastings in Normandy Ends with War of the Roses with Henry Tudor killing Richard III Period of Church Power, Chivalary, Feudalism, and not much else

4. The Church Extreme Power, Extremely Corrupt Threaten with Excommunication Famous martyr: Thomas a Becket Owned land

5. Chivalry Complex rules for code of conduct Honored love and virtue over glory/power More refined than the laws of Anglo-Saxons Largely made up

6. Feudalism Trickle-Down power Most people were peasants, worked the land in exchange for a place to stay Power rests with Barons, Lords, Knights, and King No possibility of social mobility

7. Noble Life Very rich, very few Lived in the castles Produced knights for the king or owned peasant to work the land. Coat of arms Born into this class Later granted power as a result of the Magna Carta

8. Clergy and Religious Life Life of poverty and quiet devotion to God OR Life of corruption in the pursuit of power Owned ¼ of the land in England Bullied the King at times

9. Serfs and Village Life Essentially slaves Worked the land but did not own it No possibility to move up in society Poor, dirty, hungry, and sad…