Chapter Two The Norman Period 1. Historical Background 2. Middle English 3. Religious Literature 4. Romance and influence of French Literature

The Duke of Normandy from Normandy in northern France English throne William the last Saxon king promise Norman Conquest the end of Anglo – Saxon period Germanic people the beginning of the feudal society

The year 1066 ushered in a new period in English history. The Norman conquest in 1066 accelerated the development of feudalism in England. William claimed himself William I King of England the sole owner of the land of all England his own his relatives his fellowers baron Knights (P14)

Church possess one third of the land political power religious authority Conflicts: the serfs the peasants the king the barons the church feudal lords Rebelling ways: 1. refuse to carry out task of labour 2. refuse to pay heavy rents on land 3. escape from land to growing towns, cities uprising

For three centuries after the Norman conquest, two languages were used side by side in England. Latin French upper classes courts churches schools live animals their meat English names French names EnglishAngles Saxons In the 14th century, English and ancient English were completely different. the middle – aged English

the largest proportion of surviving Middle English literature religious education in the churchbecome a cleric direct claim on the majority of literate men producer of books maintainer of libraries

Romance was a type of literature that was very popular in the Middle Ages. native language opposed to Latin originally later a tale in verse, the life and adventures of knights Romance: the spirit of chivalry the quality and ideal of knightly conduct love chivalry religion knights fighting adventures the matter of France the matter of Rome the matter of Britain

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight 《高文爵士很难与绿衣骑士》 written about Time: Poet:unknown Length: about 2,500 lines four parts Character: Sir Gawain one of the chief Arthurian knights

Part One King ArthurRound Table Knights a tall knight dressed in green and riding on a green horse challenge who is brave enough Sir Gawain accept the challenge let his ax fall on the Green Knight’s neck the head falls down the strange knight picks the head up asks Sir Gawain to look for him at the Green Chapel on the next New Year’s Day

Part Two Sir Gawain Arthur depart seek the Green Chapel strange adventures wild animals terrible men castle the lord his wife on Christmas eve Sir Gawain exchange

Part Three What happens to Gawain during the three days. the 1st daythe 2nd daythe 3rd day the lordhunt kill the deer hunt kill the boar hunt kill the fox his wifelure Gawain kiss again kiss him, offer a ring Gawainresist, allow her, kiss resistremain unyielding

Gawain The Green Knight bears his neck, but shrinks a little reprove Gawain touches his necks and blood flows reveal himself the host throws the girdle at the host forgives him and gives him back returns to Arthur’s court Part Four

The poem is a brilliant example of the wisdom of the minstrels of the Middle Ages. It contains several elements which prepared ground for a new culture. 1. a vivid portrayal and psychological analysis 2. a well unified and exciting plot with climaxes and surprises 3. The three hunting scenes and the three bedchamber scenes 4. a mixture of Anglo– Saxon poetry, the musical effect