The Medieval Period By: Ms. Stanley

When William the Conqueror came to Britain he brought with him French practices. William was from Normandy, but Normans had adopted the French ways. Once William introduced these practices to England the Medieval period began.

William’s Changes His most important introduction to English culture was Feudalism. Feudalism is a political and economic system where the king is all powerful and owns everything. Think about the Lion King “Everything the light touches is our kingdom”.

Medieval Power King Church Nobles Knights Serfs/ Commoners

Construction Nobles or Barons were encouraged to build strong castles. These castles were used to defend area from attacks While the castles were being built by the nobles, the church was building new cathedrals and abbeys.

Family Tree William the Conqueror (Brought Feudalism & French Language) Henry I (William’s Son) Eleanor of Aquitaine Henry II (Henry’s I grandson (Brought Chivalry) & initial Friend of Thomas Becket) John Richard the Lion-Hearted (of Robin Hood) he Signed the Magna Carta Henry III (Parliament began to meet regularly) Edward I (Established the House of Commons and the House of Lords)

The Decline As the commoners became more powerful feudalism began to decline. Merchants, towns, and craftsmen formed Guilds. Guilds controlled the price of goods and rules about becoming a craftsman.

The Good and the Bad As towns populations began to grow so did its sanitation problems. Due to the poor sanitation disease spread throughout the towns, but none were as deadly as the plague. This disease wiped out somewhere between 1/3 and ¼ of Europe's population.

Ring around the roses a pocket full of posy ashes ashes we all fall down.

Hundred year war This war was between England and France. The war began in 1337 under the rule of Edward III While the war took places there were several waves of the plague. Peasant’s Revolted in 1381 and Richard the II had to step down as king. Henry IV came to the throne.

England lost all of its French Possessions. The war ended in 1453. England lost all of its French Possessions. Two houses sought the throne which started the War of the Roses. The house of York or the White Rose. The house of Lancaster or the Red Rose. This war ended in 1485 when Lancastrian Henry Tudor killed Richard III. The throne then went to Henry VII, which marked the end of the Medieval Age.