The Canterbury Tales Pre-Reading Activity

The Middle Ages span what years? Approximately 500-1500 Early Middle Ages 500-1000 High Middle Ages 1000-1250 Late Middle Ages 1250-1500

What event began the Norman Conquest? Sept 28, 1066 Invasion of England by William the Conqueror Battle of Hastings Oct 14 1066

Who was William the Conqueror? Duke of Normandy First Norman King of England

What culture survived under the Normans? Why? What impact did this have? Anglo Saxon Culture Majority of the population Many nobles fled to Scotland and other areas Christian/Religious Influence Impact on language Onset of/increase in feudalism

What is feudalism? Political and social system Based on granting of land in exchange for loyalty, military assistance, and other services Developed as a result of frequent invasions System of social behavior Three social classes Those who fight Those who pray Those who work

When did the feudal structure break down? Began to breakdown due to the Black Death Wiped out 1/3 population in England 1348-1349

Describe the life, ideals, and morals of a knight. Primary duty of the male above the serf class was a military obligation to the King. Based in the feudal idea of loyalty and related to a system of social codes chivalry Breaking a code would undermine the knight’s position

What was a woman’s place in the feudal system? Peasant woman childbearing Housework Hard field work Women of higher station Household supervision Childbearing A woman was always subservient to a male, whether husband, father, or brother. No political rights Depending on the standing of her father or husband she commanded a certain respect, especially under the chivalric system of the 11th and 12th centuries.

What is chivalry? System of ideals and behavior codes that governed both knight and gentlewoman. Loyalty to overlord Honesty Fairness in battle Proper treatment of women

What is courtly love? Behavior between knights and ladies Often between a knight and a married woman Usually unconsummated Revering and acting in the name of a lady Wears colors of lady in battle Glorify her in words and be inspired by her

What would eventually render the feudal system obsolete? Decrease in population People living in towns and cities would eventually render feudal system obsolete. Development of lower, middle, and upper class (evident in Canterbury Tales)

What were the crusades? A series of wars in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries by Christian Europe against the followers of Muhammad with Jerusalem and the Holy Land as the prize. Began in 1096

How did they impact medieval life? Europeans failed to hold Jerusalem, but they benefited from the contact with the higher civilization of the Middle East. – Mathematics – Astronomy – Architecture – Crafts

Who is Thomas Becket? Discuss his relationship to Henry II. Archbishop of Canterbury Close friend and appointee of King Henry II Becket ignored Henry’s wishes to allow Royal Courts to punish people convicted in Church Court Four knights under Henry II assassinated Becket

Why was Thomas Becket important in the Middle Ages? He was murdered at Canterbury Cathedral He was sainted and martyred The site of his death became a popular place for pilgrimages

Describe the state of the Church during Chaucer’s Middle Ages. Church dominated life All people believed in heaven and Hell Could only get to heaven through the Roman Catholic Church People paid tithe (church tax) to church Church was wealthy and powerful

What is the Magna Carta? What historical impact did it have? The Great Charter of the Liberties of England Signed in 1215 Became the basis for English constitutional law in which trial by jury and legislative taxation were established First document imposed upon a King of England by his subjects Attempt to limit his power Protect their rights

When was the Hundred Years’ War? Who fought in it? Why is it important? Fought by England and France Lasted 116 years 1337-1453 Development of Yeomen (use of longbow and arrows) End of knights and castles as significant military power Two kingdoms at the beginning of the war; two nations at the end of it. Modern democratic England was born

How did the bubonic plague help bring about an end to feudalism? 1348-1349 Spread by fleas from infected rates Plague reduced the nation’s population by one third Labor shortage – freedom of serfs (last support of feudalism)

The End