Medieval Period 1066- 1485

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

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

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

13th Century Oxford and Cambridge were opened

13th Century Great Farms called Fiefs

13th Century Gothic Cathedrals were built

“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

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

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.  

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

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

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

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

Chivalry

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

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

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

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

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