Medieval Period Guided Notes

The End of the Anglo-Saxon Period When William the conqueror led the last successful invasion in Britain, the Norman Conquest, he brought with him many French ways. When he was crowned King of England in 1066 the Medieval Period began.

Medieval Period 1066-1485 A.K.A : Dark Ages or Middle Ages This period is often referred to as the “dark” ages for its lack of advance in reasoning, plague ridden cities, religious zealotry, and warfare. However… it really was not what you would consider “dark”

Advancements There were many advancements in: Law-juries and a legal code was established Medicines- physicians were supervised, though practices were still considered barbaric. Entertainment- music, poetry, and dance were everywhere. Construction- moved from wooden fortresses to stone castles. Food and weaponry also saw improvements.

The French Influence The largest of William’s introductions to Britain was Feudalism. In this form of government, the king owned everything and rationed land based on the following proportions: King= ¼ Church= ¼ Loyal Nobles (aka barons)= ½ in exchange for knights

Feudalism The churches and nobels who received land from the king were encouraged to build large Churches and castles on the land. Those below the barons would often receive land in exchange for loyalty, and those at the bottom of the social ladder, often the conqured anglo-saxons would become serfs.

Other French Influences Language The Old French the Normans spoke began to merge with Old English of the Anglo-Saxons to form Middle English Norman French was the spoken language of the government, courts, nobility, and scholars. The use of Middle English was left solely to the lower classes.

French Influences Con’t After William died there was, of course, much fighting over the throne. In the end, Henry II, his great-grandson, took the throne. Henry II also brought many French ways to England, including: Royal courts and a jury system Common Law Chivalry

Chivalry Chivarly is known as the knight’s code of honor, morality and sevice. The code: Honor and protect ladies Go on holy quests (crusades) Act modestly Loyally and courageously protect the king Follow Christian virtues.

The decline of Feudalism As the town began to grow, Feudalism began to decline. The reason for this decline is that land is no longer the exclusive means of determining wealth and class. As the town grew, however, Crowds and poor sanitation fostered diseases such as the plague.

The Hundred Years’ War In a nutshell 1337-1485 France vs. England Many notable events including: Peasants’ Revolt, Joan of Arc’s siege of ‘Orleans, and the war of the Roses. When it ended in 1485 Henry VII, took the throne. This event is considered the end of the Middle Ages.

Literature and Language In the early middle ages literature was written in French Plays became popular as a means of entertainment among the wealthy and later trickled down to the commoners. Romances, tales of chivalric knights, were extremely popular. Tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table were favored over epic tales.

So, why don’t we speak French? During the Hundred Years’ War, as a sign of defiance towards France, and was a way to avoid seeming unpatriotic, everyone began speaking English. In the rebirth of English as a language of literature, no writer was more important that 14th century Geoffrey Chaucer. His masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales, was on of the first and best know narrative poems from these early stages of English Literature.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Written in the late 14th Century (1300’s) Written in English (middle English-North West Midland) Author-anonymous (sometimes referred to as the Pearl Poet) Story was found with 2 other stories (Pearl and Patience and Cleanness)

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Watch Video Sir Gawain and the Green Knight