1. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

2. Overview: It’s been winter for a REALLY LONG TIME. I need to take a walk. A LONG walk. Plus I’m super religious. Sort of. Anyway I definitely spent all winter sinning. We’re going on a pilgrimage! To the shrine of St. Thomas a Beckett. Let’s tell stories on the way. Whoever tells the best story gets a free dinner. Let's see how far they had to go

3. It’s the late 14 th century– what’s going on the in world? Hundred Years’ War 1337-1453

4. Life might be feudal but we love the knights Values: Chivalry – code of behavior that dictates good deeds, charity, and nobility -the wandering knight does great deeds -the saint suffers for the souls of others -the scholar spends his life in ascetic study Courtly love– women are objects to be placed on pedestals -act as mirrors to reflect the male superego -function only as subjective to the man

5. The Knight Errant by John Everett Millais

6. Je deteste/ J’adore In England...everyone speaks FRENCH! Official language of the royal court Literature is written in French Heavy French influence in fashions, food, architecture

7. Role of the Church Catholicism is the only choice (pre-Lutheran reforms) The Church is wealthy and powerful The Pope is treated as a sort of king; his bishops are “Princes of the Church” Widespread and acknowledged corruption Tithing  poor people, rich Church “Thus I clothe my naked villany in odd old ends of holy writ... And seem the saint when most I play the devil...”

8. The Church v. the Cloister Monasteries are completely different: nuns and monks are viewed as saints and scholars; monasteries are places of refuge and safety in times of disease, war, or famine. Plus they’re self-sustaining!

9. No potty talk. Well, okay, maybe a little. Open, Pre-Victorian discussion about sex, death, and disease. Bubonic Plague Limited medical knowledge No clean water Hygiene– or lack thereof No dental care  People live for the moment

11. Geoffrey Chaucer Born in London c. 1343 into a bourgeois family Son of vintners Became a public servant– diplomat, record keeper, etc. Traveled with the English army in the Hundred Years’ War, was captured, ransomed by King Edward III, and released Studied law, traveled for the king, enjoyed an illustrious career Wrote in vernacular English!

12. Language Evolution – French is the common language; writing in English is new – Most are illiterate – Books and education are expensive – Storytelling tradition– entertainment, history, heritage – Language is spoken  spelling is phonetic – Language reflects cultural values