Unit 3 The Medieval Period 1066-1485 Battle of Hastings 1066, William defeats Harold II 4 years of bloody fighting…killed all English nobility Set up “fiefdoms” (estates) ruled by French barons Norman Conquest ended Anglo-Saxon Period, brings in the Medieval Period 1095 The Crusades begin 1099 Crusaders win Jerusalem The Norman Conquest 878 Alfred the Great defeated the Danes Danes began looking for other lands, invaded northern France The Norse=North Man= Normandy 1066 English King died (Edward the Confessor); chose Harold II as king Duke William of Normandy (Edward’s cousin) claims the throne is his…invades

Unit 3, slide 2 Effects of Norman Conquest The effects on English language were shattering English becomes lower class language…Norman French is higher Very little ENGLISH Literature 1066-1260 ANGLO-NORMAN Literature (Norman French) Very practical, no nonsense; religious lit, not entertaining They imported French lit for entertainment (Marie de France) *Important innovation: rhymed stanzas 1066-1202 Normandy was part of England French influence declined, and English became primary language again.

Unit 3, slide 3 Medieval Society William the Conqueror had brought the feudal system to England Feudalism: system by which England was run in Middle Ages “Vassalage”: loyalty that a lesser member of society owes to a higher member in exchange for favors King owns land…grants it to barons There were 180 “tenants in chief” Barons must be loyal to king, pay taxes, and provide soldiers Bottom of social order: peasants=villeins=serfs (gradually become “freemen” who become the tradesmen) From top to bottom: (vassals) Pope King Earl Duke Knight Serf

Unit 3, slide 4 The Catholic Church & Themes Catholic Church was really powerful, had grand cathedrals Pope--Cardinal--Archbishop--Bishop--Parish Priest 1170 Murder of Archbishop of Canterbury: Thomas a Becket Common Themes in Medieval Lit: religion, Bible stories, saints, sermons, sin Common Themes: “momento mori” (reminder of death) “contemptu mundi” (contempt for the world) “danse macabre” (dance of death) Bestiary: type of church-related lit that contains descriptions of exotic beasts and allegories

Unit 3, slide 5 the 3 C’s CRUSADES (1095+): holy wars to recapture Jerusalem from Moslems Crusaders brought back Persian and Arabic stories, esp. Persian love poetry: idealized view of women Influences devotion to Mary CHAUCER: Canterbury Tales Stories made up on pilgrimage to Canterbury, spot of martyrdom of Becket CHIVALRY: romance (means adventure)…standards of knightly conduct, trials, courtly love, quests (the Holy Grail) Example: King Arthur & the Knights of the Round Table Ballads: oral poetry of common people, songs (like Robin Hood) Medieval Drama: originally in churches…Biblical skits. Moved into the courtyards: mystery plays (Bible), miracle plays (saints), morality plays (virtues & vices)

Unit 3, slide 6 Politics Politics: feudalism, traveling judges, common law, Parliament (representative rulers) 1215 Magna Carta: document that limits rights of the king 1381 Peasant Revolt (begins the lower class’ struggle for liberty and human rights) 1339-1453 100 Years War – France vs. England over possession of French lands Joan of Arc (1412-31) France won back its land (she’s not the only reason) Oxford & Cambridge are founded Guilds, Middle Class…towns & population increase mid 1300’s Black Death (bubonic plague) kills 1/3 of England John Wycliffe (1330-84) translated Bible into English…eventually leads to Protestant Reformation 1476 William Caxton – movable type 1455-1485 War of the Roses (Lancasters vs. Yorks)