The Medieval Period AD

1066  The year the Normans defeated the Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings.  William the Conqueror, a Norman (French), was now King of England.

I. Norman Rule in England A.The A-S culture and Norman/French culture blended. B.Normans ruled less than 100 years 1. Brought Feudalism: land divided among noble barons. Knights served barons. Lowest class were the serfs or peasants.

II. The Royal Houses of Plantaganet, Lancaster, & York A.1154-end of Norman Rule, beginning of Royalty B.Plantaganet Rules 1. 1 st one-Henry II—Increased King’s power and took it from the barons. a. wanted also to lead Roman Catholic church. He had Archbishop Thomas Becket of Canterbury murdered –1170.

Continued King John signed Magna Carta. In this document, he agreed not to raise taxes without consent of barons. 3. Others—Richard the Lionhearted, John, Edward I, Richard II (last one)

C. Lancaster Rulers 1.3 Kings: Henry IV, V, VI 2.Henry IV-went insane-gave rule to uncle, the Duke of York, while he recuperated Henry VI got better, wanted throne back. Duke fought & won—war 30 years. “War of the Roses”

D. York Rulers 1.1 st one-Edward IV-encouraged Wm. Caxton to make printing press. 2.Edward V-only 12 yrs old when he takes throne—Uncle Richard III takes over—kills Ed V and his brother—then takes throne— Richard III killed in battle b/c of this. 3.Henry Tudor takes over, distant relative of Lancasters.

Chivalric Live in Medieval England a.Knights: fought French, journeyed to Holy Lands, jousted in tournaments. b.Chivalry: ideal knights must live by— honorable, courteous, generous, brave, skillful in battle, respectful of women, helpful to weak.

IV. Religious Life a.Roman Catholic Church: all belonged— Barons, Knights, serfs b.Knights fought for Church—crusades for Holy Land c.Cathedrals were built during this time d.Those who went on Crusades were influenced by Moslems, natives of the Holy Land, through Arabic numerals, Algebra, and Arabic medicine.

V. City Life A.1349—Black Death/Bubonic Plague killed 1/3 of the people of England. B.After plague—cities sprung up everywhere C.Work Guilds formed D.End of Knighthood—invention of gunpowder.

VI. Storytelling A.Romances: stories with a blend of chivalry, touches of love, magic & marvels B.Folk Ballads: stories sung by common people.

VII. Pilgrimages -long trips/journeys to holy places, popular in Medieval Christianity. -pilgrims travel long distances to toms of saints or other shrines (Rome, Holy Land) -pilgrims ask for divine assistance, give thanks, ask for miracles, do penance, show devotion. -they felt pilgrimages were essential to Christian beliefs -some still take pilgrimages today.

Canterbury, England  About 50 miles SE of London  Major destination for English pilgrims  Site of Becket’s murder in 1170  People flooded to Cathedral to pay respects.

Geoffrey Chaucer   Son of a wealthy merchant  Became a page in a royal house  Soldier, diplomat, royal clerk  1359 captured during war, and his ransom paid by the king  Traveled extensively throughout his employment

Chaucer continued  Father of English Poetry—poems have never gone out of print; was even popular in his own day.  Buried in Westminster Abbey—Poet’s Corner

Frame Tale

The Canterbury Tales  The story of a group of 29 pilgrims (plus the narrator) from varied walks of life who are traveling from London to the shrine of Saint Thomas a Becket at Canterbury (about 50+ miles).  The tales are stories they tell to pass the time as they travel.  Pilgrims are gathered at The Tabard, an inn, at the beginning of the poem.

 Each pilgrim was to tell 2 tales on the way to Canterbury, and 2 on the return journey.  Prologue to The Canterbury Tales describes each pilgrim.

Pre-reading Vocabulary  Absolution  Accrue  Adversity  Apothecary  Astrology  Privy  Relic  Wend  Intoning  penitents  Chivalry  Ecclesiast  Eminent  Felicity  Parley  Pestilences  Sanguine  Ulcer  solicitous