1. The Medieval Period
Complete your notes as we discuss.

2. The Battle of Hastings
In 1066, the Anglo-Saxon king, Edward the Confessor, died childless.
William, Duke of Normandy, a distant relative from France, claimed that he had been promised the throne.
An Anglo-Saxon named Harold, Earl of Wessex sought the throne and claimed it.

3. The Battle of Hastings
The Battle of Hastings took place on Christmas Day, 1066 A.D.
The two fought, but William overtook Harold.
William became known as “William the Conqueror.”

4. Heidelberg Castle

6. Changes Due to Norman Rule
The Normans brought feudalism, a political and economic system based on the belief that the king owned ALL the land.
The order of the feudal hierarchy was God, King, Vassals/Church, Serfs (peasants).

7. Changes Due to Norman Rule
William the Conqueror brought with him the Old French language. Combined with Old English, a new language was formed—Middle English.
French rule also brought trade and closer ties to Europe.

8. The Hierarchy of Feudalism
GOD

9. Chivalry and the Crusades
Chivalry is a Code of Honor to govern knightly behavior. (Go on quests, honor and protect ladies, defend the Church, etc…)
The Dubbing Ceremony is where a knight is given his title.

10. Chivalry and the Crusades
Between the years 1000 and 1200 A.D., European Christians wanted Jerusalem out of Moslem control. They fought over the holy lands.
Richard I (Richard the Lionheart) fought in the Crusades. The legend of Robin Hood is based on this fact.

11. The Code of Chivalry Live to serve King and Country.
Crush the monsters that steal our land and rob our people.
Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear.
Fight with honor.
Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.
Avenge the wronged.
Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.
Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.
Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry.
Never attack an unarmed foe.
Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack.
Die with valor.
Always keep one's word of honor.
Never attack from behind.
Always maintain one's principles.
Avoid lying to your fellow man.
Never betray a confidence or comrade.
Avoid cheating.
Avoid torture.
Avoid deception.
Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry.
Respect life and freedom.
Die with honor.
Administer justice.
Exhibit manners.
Protect the innocent.
Be polite and attentive.
Exhibit self control.
Be respectful of host, women, and honor.
Show respect to authority.
Respect women.
Loyalty to country, King, honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry.
Exhibit Courage in word and deed.
Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee.
Defend the weak and innocent.
Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms.
The
Code of
Chivalry

12. The Decline of Feudalism
Guilds were organizations of merchants and crafts people set up in order to control the price of goods and set standards from advancing from apprentice to master craftsman.

13. The Decline of Feudalism
Towns were dirty and crowded with poor sanitation and outbreaks of numerous illnesses.
Chief centers of learning were now universities. Oxford was one of the first.

14. War and Pestilence
England and France were fighting over territories it gained when William became king. France won, and England lost its claims to French lands.
Swords, spears, shields, crossbows, long bows. Warfare technology is rapidly increasing.
The Black Death (plague) killed 1/3 of England’s population.

15. The Black Death

16. Wars of the Roses
The Yorks and the Lancasters were fighting over the throne of England. (Both thought members of their family had a right to be king.) The symbol of the Yorks was a white rose, and the Lancasters’ was a red rose, hence the name of the war.

17. Wars of the Roses
The Lancasters won when Henry Tudor killed Richard III (York) at the Battle of Bosworth field.
This event marks the end of the Medieval period and the transition into the early Renaissance.

18. Medieval Romance

19. What is it?
Has little to do with how we think of the word romance today.
A type of literature that flourished from the 12th to 14th centuries.
The story the Wife of Bath tells in The Canterbury Tales is an example of a medieval romance, as is Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
Modern Examples include Star Wars (episodes 4-6), Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Aragon, etc…

20. Characteristics An adventure with the following elements:
Journey- a quest that takes the hero across vast and distant lands (a metaphor for the spiritual quest of man)
Love – the medieval knight swears his undying love for a maiden
Virtue – the knight must prove his purity of heart and purpose time and time again during his journey.
Supernatural – medieval romances are full of supernatural beings and events such as dwarfs, fairies, magicians, and giants.

21. Characteristics
The settings of medieval romance tend to be imaginary and vague. Think of it in terms of “Once upon a time in a far far away kingdom…”
Medieval romance uses concealed or disguised identity.
Repetition of the mystical number 3.
Heroes and eras are idealized.
The tone is lighthearted and not serious.

22. Themes
Chivalric code
Gallant love
Honor
Daring deeds
Abstinence