1. Medieval Period

2. 1066
Battle of Hastings: Harold the Saxon, the King of England was defeated by William the Conqueror, the Duke of Normandy

3. Changes brought by William the Conqueror
Due to a more European business exposure, England became stable and very powerful
People trained to be soldiers, lawyers, doctors etc.
In addition to English (Middle English) the people spoke Norman and French

4. Religion
Played a great role in the lives of the Medieval people- All people wanted to attain Heaven
Latin was the official language of the church
Abbeys and Monasteries were built

5. 13th Century
Oxford and Cambridge were opened

6. 13th Century
Great Farms called Fiefs

7. 13th Century
Gothic Cathedrals were built

8. “Christendom”
Commonwealth- a spiritual and cultural empire uniting men of different nationalities, different languages and different regional ways of life
This basically refers to countries in which Christians make up the majority of the population, or the world wide community of Christians

9. Feudal System Based on land holdings
Vassals or overlords owed allegiance to a noble or king

10. Feudal System Everyone knew his place
  ·        Ki   
T Barons were the most powerful and wealthy noblemen, they received their fiefs directly from the King,
    ·       Bishops   
The Bishop had as much power as a Baron. They ruled over all areas of the church including the priest ,convents and monasteries. The collection of taxes made Bishops extremely rich.
     ·        Lords
Feudal System
Everyone knew his place
The only way the common man could advance was through the church
Priest, Bishop, Cardinal, Pope
     ·        Peasants   
The peasants were at the bottom of the feudal tree. They were the workers who farmed the land to provide food for everyone. Sometimes they were given a piece of land to farm in return for their labor on the lord’s land.

11. Life of Medieval Period
Austere- No modern comforts
Travel was very difficult
Difficulty and harsh life was made up for in church splendor
Priests preached that life on earth was less important than life after death

12. Life of Medieval Period
The Crusades: A series of religious wars to “save” Jerusalem from Turks (Muslims)

13. Life of Medieval Period
Learned much about medicine, mathematics and commercial trade

14. Chivalry
The definition of chivalry today means the conduct of a mannered and sensitive man toward women
In the Medieval period it was part of the code that knights were sworn to live by along with courage, justice, mercy, generosity, faith, nobility and hope

15. Chivalry

16. Chivalry This idea joined with romance in literature
Feature: fairy enchantments, giants, dragons, wizards, sorceresses
Seen in stories like: King Arthur and his Knights, King Charlemagne and The Conquest of Troy

18. Black Death
1348- Plague hit – 1/3 of England died

19. Peasants Revolt
1381- Black Death reduced the labor force, therefore, laborers could ask for enhanced benefits

20. Wars of the Roses 1455-1485- fight for power between two houses
House of York- represented by White Rose
House of Lancaster- represented by Red Rose

21. End of the Middle Ages
In 1485 Richard III was defeated by Henry VII (Henry Tudor)
This united the families, under the Tudor line and ended the middle ages