The Medieval Period occurred between 1066 & 1485

The Normans were descendants of the Vikings who invaded France in the 9 th century.

The Normans adopted the ways of the French:  Became Devout Christians  Began speaking French  Began using Feudalism as their political/economic system

When King Edward of England died in 1066 there were several claims on his throne: 1.William, Duke of Normandy claimed Edward had promised the throne to him. He was Edwards’s cousin & was French. 2.Harold II of England also had a claim.  Edward actually appointed his nephew Edgar, but he died before being crowned.

William led troops across the English Channel where he…  fought Harold II at Hastings, known as the Battle of Hastings  Killed Harold II  Became King of England

After Killing Harold II, William went to London where he crushed ALL resistance. He then became known …  As William “the Conqueror”  For the Doomesday Book (tax record)  Building The Tower of London as a fortress to defend against attack. White Tower was the portion he’s known for building

William set up all aspects of English Society like that of France…. Normans controlled government. Business was done in both French & Latin. England was remade along Feudal lines.

Lords (nobles) This is a system that exchanges land for Personal service & protection. Feudalism

The Knights of the Medieval Age TRIED to live by a code of Chivalry. They were to be…  Honorable  Courteous  Brave  Skillful  Courtly Love

Norman rule ended in 1154 when Henry Plantagenet, Count of Anjou became Henry II of England. He was considered one of England’s ablest kings because he…  was interested in government  understood the workings of the law…jury system, royal courts, common law  Was the 1 st to call himself “King of England" not King of the English

Because of his concern for legal matters, Henry II …  Found himself in conflict with the church.  Saw the Church as too powerful  He disliked that the church Put clergyman on trial in church run courts & abused this power Henry wanted to stop the abuse of power

To Fix his problems with the church, Henry…  Appointed his Friend Thomas Becket as Arch- bishop of Canterbury.  felt duped when his friend didn’t help with his plan.

…Becket told the Pope his plans about cleaning up the church, especially because the Pope sided with Becket. Henry II became furious when…

Because of Henry’s anger… "Will no one rid me of this troublesome priest?"  4 of Henry’s knights went to Canterbury.  Thomas Becket was murdered in his Cathedral.

Because All of Europe was horrified by the murder of Thomas Becket... Henry condemned the crime. Henry made a holy journey, or pilgrimage to Becket’s tomb

Thereafter, a journey to visit Becket's shrine at Canterbury became a common English means of showing religious devotion. -INFACT-  Geoffrey Chaucer’s characters in The Canterbury Tales make this same journey.

Although the first printing press was established at the end of the Medieval Period, much of the literature was still composed orally… Folk ballads were sung or recited and passed down through the generations.

These ballads, along with most literature of the time, were written in poetic verse and told a story…

Factors Responsible for Ending Feudalism: I.Hundred Years’ War…  fought France over land  Began in 1337 and ended in 1453  Began with Edward III II.War of the Roses… literal  Civil War over who would be King  House of York…white rose  House of Lancaster…red rose --Lancaster’s win when Henry VII kills King Richard III at Bosworth Field. --Tudor line begins

Factors Responsible for Ending Feudalism: III.Crusades (1095, 1191, 1202, 1217, & 1270)  Part of Chivalry…knights should go on holy quests.  Christians try to take Jerusalem from Muslims  Europeans gain knowledge in Math & Medicine IV. Black Plague (1348) caused by flea bites Killed 1/3 of England’s population Figuratively called “War of the roses” due to red bumps caused by flea bites. --”ring around the Rosie”

Factors Responsible for Ending Feudalism: V.Weapons LLong bow GGunpowder …castles & knights useless VI.Other Factors Labor was scarce (why?) High Taxes Repressive Laws Basically…plague, war, taxes, laws, & invention Killed Feudalism.

Medieval Life & Society

Medieval Life: Towns become cities… A. Wool industry…especially up North 1. Sheep herders 2. Combing 3. spinning 4. weaving 5. dying finished cloth people pay overlord with $, not land

Medieval Life continued … B. Merchant Class emerges 1. Become rich (favors for nobility) 2. Enter the Gentry class 3. Some become nobility 4. Formed Guilds a. Regulate prices & standards b. Extended family life c. Apprentice & journeymen d. Masters

Medieval Life continued … C.Guilds…formed for many workers 1. stonecutters 2. masons 3. carpenters 4. woodcarvers 5. glass blowers 6. stainers The great Cathedrals were built at this time

Medieval Society continued… D. Few comforts in Life 1. Travel was difficult 2. Travel was dangerous 3. Little variety in food a. No sugar or potatoes b. Food had to be seasoned c. You grew it or caught it d. Winter limited diet

Medieval Literature… I.Romance Literature A. King Author B. Folk Poetry …ballads C. Drama 1. Miracle plays a. performed by Guilds b. depicted bible stories 2. Morality plays a. characters represented virtues b. Characters represented vices c. Told a moral