The Medieval Period (Old English and Middle English) English Literature The Medieval Period (Old English and Middle English)

Terms to Know! Allegory - a story in which the characters and events are symbols that stand for ideas about human life or for a political or historical situation Ballad – a narrative poem Irony – a difference between the expected and actual result in a situation Parody – a piece of writing, music, etc., that imitates the style of someone or something else in an amusing way Satire - humor that shows the weaknesses or bad qualities of a person, government, society, etc.

England before the English When the Roman legions arrived, they found the land inhabited by “Britons.” Today, the Britons are known as the Celts Stonehenge no written language The Britons were absorbed into Roman society Latin is spoken Romans withdraw as the Empire crumbles, leaving the Britons behind

England before the English group of pagan people from Northern Europe begin a series of invasions Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) bring Germanic languages still have their language Wednesday…day of Woden, father of the gods Thursday…day of Thor, god of war Woden--father of the gods

Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Britons language becomes more Germanic still retains some Latin The Anglo-Saxons’ two urgings--war and wandering become part of the oral tradition Beowulf is an example of an Anglo-Saxon hero tale Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother

By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to convert the pagans Latin (the language of the Church) returns King Alfred the Britons become organized first true king of the Britons period of prosperity King Alfred brings an age of prosperity

the 3rd language is introduced--French In 1066, the Normans (French speaking people from Normandy), led by William the Conqueror attack and defeat the Britains (a blend of the Britons and Anglo-Saxons) at the Battle of Hastings the 3rd language is introduced--French French culture and French literature arrives

The White Tower in London… part of William’s legacy Welcome to England and the English… an island of peoples, languages, and divisions... The White Tower in London… part of William’s legacy Chartres Cathedral Latin -- church, schools French -- court, castle English -- commoners

What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?

The 3 Estates in the Middle Ages The idea of estates, or orders, was encouraged during the Age, but this ordering was breaking down. Clergy Latin chiefly spoken, those who pray, purpose was to save everyone’s soul Nobles French chiefly spoken, those who fight, purpose was to protect—allow for all to work in peace—and provide justice Commoners English spoken, those who work, purpose was to feed and clothe all above them

A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord feudalism The economic system of much of the Middle Ages (800-1100) Commoners (peasants) lived on a feudal manor. The lord of the manor gave his vassals (the peasants) land to farm. In return, the vassals received protection from roving bandits. Yet they were taxed and had to surrender a portion of their crops to the lord. it was better to be a lord than a vassal! Feudalism is important as it created ties of obedience and fostered a sense of loyalty between the vassals and their lord. A tenant (vassal) renews his oath of fealty to his lord

Chivalry A product of feudalism, chivalry was an idealized system of manners and morals Restricted to nobility The Medieval knight was bound to the chivalric code to be loyal to… God his lord his lady Chivalric ideals include... benevolence brotherly love politeness Sir Gawain is an example

The Church Provided guidance through well known precepts.. Seven Deadly Sins Pride Greed Wrath Envy Gluttony Sloth Lust

The Wheel of Fortune The idea of Fortune and her wheel was one of the most pervasive ideas throughout the Middle Ages. On the wheel are depicted four figures: one at the top, one at the bottom, one rising, and one falling.

It served to remind of the temporality of earthly things. The Wheel helps understand the medieval mind, and it can help remind us that the important things in life come from within, that hard work has its own merits. An award, an office, a title--these are not the things that make for greatness.

the Ptolemaic Universe Imagine a sphere that encloses another that holds another that holds yet another…and continues into heaven… It is a commonly held myth that people of the Medieval period thought the Earth was flat…FALSE! It was round, but at the center of the universe! So what! Well, the people of the Medieval period loved order! Remember the Three Estates, the Seven Deadly Sins—a place for everyone and everyone in that place. Watch for this order to begin to be displaced… the Ptolemaic Universe

With the Crusades comes The Black Death spreads along trade routes kills much of the population the plague outbreaks occur through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance Paradoxically, the Plague provides for continued growth in cities Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs available Many debts “died off” with creditors also contributed to society’s culture

Early Life Born c. 1340 Son of a prosperous wine merchant In mid teens, he was placed in the service of the Countess of Ulster so he could obtain more education and be schooled in court and society life Thus, he would have learned Latin and some Greek as well as perhaps some French and Italian

Early Life (cont.) In, 1359 he was captured by the French at the seige of Reims during the Hundred Years' War while serving in English army; ransomed by King Edward III a year later Chaucer joined the royal household and became a trusted messenger and minor diplomat

As a Royal Messenger Chaucer was frequently sent to the continent on secret business for the King. Some of these trips were to Italy where he became acquainted with the works of the great Italian authors: Boccaccio, Dante, Petrarch These 3 were the greatest Italian writers of the early Renaissance period More about these 3 important authors a bit later!

Other Jobs Chaucer Held…and Learned From... Controller of Customs on Wools, Skins and Hides for the Port of London Here he would meet many types of businessmen, sailors, travelers city folk and common laborers Clerk of the King’s Works In charge of construction and repairs affecting the royal residences; here he would meet many guildsmen as well as court officials Deputy Forester of the King’s Forests Away from the city, he met peasants, foresters, local clergy and other country folk Representative of the Shire of Kent in Parliament Here he met the rich, the influential and the upper middle class as well as the higher ranking church officials

In The Canterbury Tales, Chaucer wrote about the people he had met along the way. If you were doing the same thing today, think about the variety of types of people you know and have encountered.

Describe them by: Their job The type and color of their clothing Their “accessories” (jewelry, pets, other portables) The way they act Their income Their “secrets” Their status in society as a whole The way they speak / their slang or accent Their mode of transportation

Chaucer’s Plan ... A Prologue followed by a series of stories and linking dialogues and commentaries Each character would tell 2 stories going and 2 stories coming home uh… coming home from WHERE? Canterbury of course. After all, his work IS called : The Canterbury Tales

London

But why go to Canterbury?

One Answer: Religion Canterbury has always been an important religious center in England. St. Augustine (seen in stained glass from the Canterbury Cathedral) was sent by Pope Gregory the Great to establish the Catholic faith in the country Religion played an important part in medieval life.

Why was religion important? It’s the Middle Ages Plague Warfare High Infant Mortality Rate Short Life Expectancy …and if you were a peasant, you lived your whole life in harsh conditions About the best thing that you had to look forward to was dying and going to heaven

Also, Canterbury was a Pilgrimage Site People of all classes went on pilgrimages to holy sites to ask for help with medical, financial or other problems.

The Shrine of St. Thomas à Becket

Becket was a trusted adviser and friend of King Henry II Becket was a trusted adviser and friend of King Henry II. Henry named Becket Archbishop of Canterbury.

Becket’s outspoken style angered the King Becket’s outspoken style angered the King. One day, Henry complained, “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” Three knights rode to Canterbury where they found Becket at the altar of Canterbury Cathedral.

Becket was murdered at the altar.

The death of Becket angered the peasants who felt his Saxon heritage made him one of them.

Canterbury Cathedral became a site for pilgrims to offer prayers to St Canterbury Cathedral became a site for pilgrims to offer prayers to St. Thomas.

Today, a modern cross made from swords marks the site of the martyrdom.

A close-up of the altar.

The fact that Chaucer wrote in English (Middle English), rather than French or Latin like many of his fellow writers, meant that ordinary folk could enjoy The Canterbury Tales and their vivid characters.

Chaucer surrounded by his characters.

The late fourteenth century world was still very much one of the spoken word. Books were copied out by hand and were a rare luxury till the advent of the printing press 70 years later. The educated elite could read, but they preferred to hear texts read out loud for entertainment. The Canterbury Tales, with their earthy humor and and vivid dialogue, were a runaway success.

So, let’s travel back to London, to the area called Southward, and stop at the Tabard Inn.

We’ll meet the characters and hear their stories.

The story begins...