Medieval Romance Literature The Tales of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table

(William the Conqueror) Norman Conquest King William (William the Conqueror) of Norway King Herold The Anglo-Saxon Battle of Hastings – 1066 French Anglo-Saxon Latin

Norman Influences Medieval Romance castles with lords & ladies chivalry: code of knightly behavior themes of good vs. evil Social Factors growth of london from town to city plague feudal system

Norman Influences political change Magna carta 1215 King has to follow rules of the land Parliament is established Protects rights of ordinary people England becomes more civilized

The Black Death Started on Eastern European shores during the spring of 1348 Most deadly epidemic in history Lasted 3 years Wiped out 25-50% of population of Europe Bubonic plague - Caused by rat infestation Came from fleas of infested rats Started with buboes or tumors on neck, armpits, or groin – size of egg to apple Signaled about 1 week left to live Families divided, panic among the people, lack of law enforcement

War Of Roses (1455 – 1487) King Henry VI was a weak monarch (mental illness) A series of civil wars fought in England Henry surrounded himself with feuding nobles and corrupt court (nobles organized private armies) War between two families Begins the DARK AGES – 150 years House of Lancaster House of York

The Middle Ages The time between 5th and 15th centuries Begins with the fall of the Roman Empire Towards the end of 14th Century the Black Death breaks out in Europe German inventor Johannes Gutenberg invents the printing press. This will signal the start of the Renaissance.

Norman Castles Location Natural barriers were important Steep hills or large bodies of water that provided good views Between the Norman Invasion and William the Conqueror’s Death 86 Stone Castles were built Over 1000 wooden castles were built

Norman Castles Motte & Bailey Castles Motte Made of wood Surrounded by a fence Built on a Hill (Lookout) Bailey Located below and was connected to the motte by a bridge Housed soldiers, families, and animals

Norman Castles Stone Keep Castles Replaced Motte & Bailey Surrounded by thick stone walls Had lookout turrets and a drawbridge In the center was the keep or living quarters

Legend A legend is a story told about extraordinary deeds Legends are often told and retold for generations among a group of people.

Legend Legends are often about a particular person and celebrates heroic quality of that person Legends are thought to have a historical basis, but may also contain elements of magic and myth Myths: stories that a particular culture believes to be true, using the supernatural to interpret natural events & to explain the nature of the universe and humanity

What Is A Romance? Wandering storytellers would retell adventurous tales of knights and noble heroes. These became known as romances, which, over time, moved from the oral tradition into written versions. Writers of romances tend to idealize their heroes as well as the eras in which the heroes live.

What Is A Romance? A romance is an imaginative story concerned with these motifs… noble heroes and idealized beauty chivalric codes of honor including Good vs. Evil wicked adversaries such as dragons passionate courtly love daring deeds and adventures supernatural events such as magic

Romances Cont’d… Motif: an idea, object, place, or statement that appears frequently throughout a piece of writing, which helps contribute to the work’s overall theme

ARCHETYPE: King Arthur ARCHETYPE: Model or prototype The wise king The old wizard The knight on a quest The magic weapon The evil witch ARCHETYPE: King Arthur Noble & wise king Strong in battle Pure in spirit Fair in judgement

Medieval Literature Geoffrey Chaucer – The Canterbury Tales A Gest of Robyn Hode

Syr Thomas Maleore, Knyght Represented Warwickshire in Parliament in 1445 During the War of Roses Supported the Lancasters Was charged with numerous crimes Extortion Attempted murder Cattle Rustling Brawling Plundering the Abbey of Combe

Syr Thomas Maleore, Knyght King Edward IV refused to pardon his crimes He was in prison when he wrote the heroic adventures of King Arthur and his Knights of the Round Table He died in prison in 1471

Le Morte d’Arthur A masterpiece of medieval romantic literature 21- book collection of King Arthur legends Written by Syr. Thomas Malory Published in 1485 Collection of French, Anglo-Saxon, and Latin tales which Malory translated and compiled into one collection First prose masterpiece in English Published by William Caxton after Malory’s death and gave it the name Le Morte d’Arthur (The death of Arthur)

WAS Arthur Real? It is generally assumed that there was a real King Arthur although the information is obscure. He was probably a Celtic chieftain who fought off the Angle and Saxon invaders during the 5th and 6th centuries.

Was Arthur Real? His histories are based largely on Celtic legends, which were oral traditions. The first mention of Arthur came in 800 AD in the “Historia Brittanium” by a Welsh Monk named Nennius. Nennius says that Arthur was not a king but a soldier or a military leader. The Celtic stories celebrated Arthur and his just rule and his championship of the oppressed.

Was Arthur Real? The legendary King Arthur’s stories take place between 1066 (the Norman invasion) and 1400. The legendary king was greatly influenced by the Norman way of life. In fact much of the legends of Arthur were written by French writers, not English writers until Sir Thomas Mallory 300 years later. The French writers could have heard the stories from English crusaders.

The Landscape… Camelot – The name of Arthur’s kingdom, Arthur was striving for a utopian society, but no one is perfect. Tintagel Castle – The place where Arthur was conceived. Avalon – Where Excalibur was forged and where King Arthur was taken to be treated for his wounds after his last fatal battle.

Modern versions…

Chivalry Is Not Dead! Chivalry is a code of behavior that medieval knights followed. It is usually associated with ideals of knightly virtues, honor and courtly love.

Code Of Chivalry The chivalric code stressed, among other things, loyalty to the king, courage, personal honor, and defending those who could not defend themselves. The Code: Honor Courage Generosity Modesty Honesty Faith in God Loyalty Civility Compassion

Feudal System King/Queen KNIGHTS SERFS Barons/Lords Dukes/Dutchess Grants land to Provides money and knights Barons/Lords Dukes/Dutchess Provide protection and military service Grants land to KNIGHTS Provide food and services when demanded Grants land to SERFS

Knightly Hierarchy King: male ruler of the country Queen: female ruler of the country or wife of a king Duke: a nobleman of highest rank Duchess: a noblewoman of highest rank Knight: a member of a medieval warrior class Archbishop: a bishop of the highest rank Men and women of high social stature were addressed as Sir and Lady.