The Middle Ages ( )

Events and Social Changes William the Conqueror and his Norman army defeated English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in William the Conqueror and his Norman army defeated English King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in The new king and integration of the Normans into England. The new king and integration of the Normans into England. William became the new king and divided up Britain among barons loyal to him. This started the feudal system. William became the new king and divided up Britain among barons loyal to him. This started the feudal system.

Feudalism Feudalism was a system that assigned economic, political, and social position to every individual at birth. Feudalism was a system that assigned economic, political, and social position to every individual at birth. Feudalism is a caste system, a property system, and a military system. Feudalism is a caste system, a property system, and a military system. God headed this system with “divine right”, then the pyramid leaked down from the king all the way down to the serfs. God headed this system with “divine right”, then the pyramid leaked down from the king all the way down to the serfs. When feudalism fails. When feudalism fails.

The Feudal Relationship King – all-powerful King – all-powerful overlord and landowner overlord and landowner Barons/Lords – lord of their Barons/Lords – lord of their own land and all upon own land and all upon that land that land Vassals – a dependent lord Vassals – a dependent lord Knights – served their Knights – served their Vassals as requested Vassals as requested Serfs – peasants who worked Serfs – peasants who worked on vassal’s lands. on vassal’s lands.

Chivalry Chivalry is a series of ideals and social codes to govern the behavior of knights and gentlewomen: Chivalry is a series of ideals and social codes to govern the behavior of knights and gentlewomen: * Taking an oath of loyalty to a lord * Taking an oath of loyalty to a lord * Rules of warfare (never attack * Rules of warfare (never attack an unarmed man, etc) an unarmed man, etc) * “Courtly Love” - adoring a * “Courtly Love” - adoring a woman from afar: nonsexual. woman from afar: nonsexual.

The City Classes Over time, a class system developed in the cities. They developed their own form of culture as well. Over time, a class system developed in the cities. They developed their own form of culture as well. Ballads – the commoner POV put into song Ballads – the commoner POV put into song Miracle Plays – plays with heavy religious subject matter Miracle Plays – plays with heavy religious subject matter Guilds formed, so a great deal of medieval art is the “people’s art” Guilds formed, so a great deal of medieval art is the “people’s art”

The Crusades ( ) Holy wars waged by the pope against Muslims to reclaim Jerusalem. Holy wars waged by the pope against Muslims to reclaim Jerusalem. Thousands of Jews and Muslims were slaughtered. Thousands of Jews and Muslims were slaughtered. In the Children’s Crusade, even women and children were swept into the bloodshed. In the Children’s Crusade, even women and children were swept into the bloodshed. The only real positive The only real positive from these wars was from these wars was exposure the Middle exposure the Middle Eastern Culture. Math, Eastern Culture. Math, astronomy, architecture, astronomy, architecture, and crafts all enriched and crafts all enriched England greatly in the future. England greatly in the future.

Martyrdom of Thomas à Becket Thomas was a Norman who was great friends with King Henry II (reigned ). Thomas was a Norman who was great friends with King Henry II (reigned ). In order to gain power over the Pope, Henry appointed Thomas as archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Catholic Church in England). In order to gain power over the Pope, Henry appointed Thomas as archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Catholic Church in England). Thomas, though, often sided with the Pope over Henry in disputes. Henry got fed up and raged aloud “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?!” Four knights took Henry literally and brutally killed Priest Thomas. Thomas, though, often sided with the Pope over Henry in disputes. Henry got fed up and raged aloud “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?!” Four knights took Henry literally and brutally killed Priest Thomas. There was a big public backlash towards King Henry. Thomas was martyred. There was a big public backlash towards King Henry. Thomas was martyred.

The Magna Carta King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215; the aristocrats created the Carta to put a check on the powerful central papal power in England. King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215; the aristocrats created the Carta to put a check on the powerful central papal power in England. The Magna Carta was not created for the sake of the lower classes, but later it became the basis for British Constitutional law. The Magna Carta was not created for the sake of the lower classes, but later it became the basis for British Constitutional law.

Hundred Years’ War ( ) First national war waged by England against France. First national war waged by England against France. Edward III and Henry V both laid weak claims for the throne of France. Edward III and Henry V both laid weak claims for the throne of France. It was not a successful war, but it put and end to chivalry and knighthood and gave England a new identity. It was not a successful war, but it put and end to chivalry and knighthood and gave England a new identity. * the yeoman – the small landowner who used bow and arrow, was now the dominant force as the feudal system ended * the yeoman – the small landowner who used bow and arrow, was now the dominant force as the feudal system ended

The Bubonic Plague ( ) Spread by fleas from infected rats Spread by fleas from infected rats England’s population was reduced by a third. England’s population was reduced by a third. The labor shortage gave the lower classes more bargaining power with their lords, which also contributed to the end of feudalism. The labor shortage gave the lower classes more bargaining power with their lords, which also contributed to the end of feudalism.

Ballads Songs or songlike poems that tell stories in simple, rhythmic language. Songs or songlike poems that tell stories in simple, rhythmic language. Often coming from the oral tradition alone, so no strict rules on form. Often coming from the oral tradition alone, so no strict rules on form. Subject Matter: supernatural events; sensational, sordid, or tragic subject matter; a refrain; and the omission of details Subject Matter: supernatural events; sensational, sordid, or tragic subject matter; a refrain; and the omission of details