From Anglo-Saxon ( C.E. ) to Middle English ( C.E.)

Major changes Norman Conquest (1066)—English kings become French speakers Linguistic: As Old English moves to Middle English, Anglo-Norman (French) establishes prestige as language #2 to Latin Chivalry: Social system based on prestige, courtesy, and service

Arthurian Mss.: Geoffrey of Monmouth

Building the Myth: Glastonbury Abbey

Building the Myth: The Round Table

Marie de France May be illegitimate sister of Henry II Social observer Very familiar with fin amor and courtly behavior Critiques it through Lais

The Lais Lais are short narrative poems, often in a meter that suggests a musical accompaniment She wrote 12 Deal with love from many points of view Two are Arthurian

Social Class Changes Normans install the feudal system Concept of three “estates”—fixed place in the social structure Black Death (major outbreak 1349) kills more than 30% of population, ends feudalism People move to cities for work, rise of merchant class, beginnings of a bourgeoisie Peasant’s Rebellion in 1381

Religion remains the constant, but… Though Latin continues its prestige stronghold and Education is mostly still in the hands of the church, merchant/guild schools are starting and Law & business are conducted mostly in French (Edward III addresses Parliament in English for the first time in 1362)

And the Church had troubles… Too much money being donated led to corruption (though often with good intentions) Selling salvation through indulgences as a fundraiser Tied up with politics (the Crusades, two Popes) People starting to question its control of religious texts…

Changes in Literacy More merchant classes mean more literate people Emphasis on pious literacy, especially for women Improved economic status means more $$ to buy status items like books

Where does Malory come in?

Writing c England in political turmoil (Wars of Roses) Family turning against family Noblemen switching loyalties for political gains Malory’s sense that the “old values” were fading away

Morte Darthur Two versions—Caxton’s print edition, 1485 “Winchester Manuscript,” only discovered in 1934 Question of whether it’s a “hoole book” or 8 related tales Genre is something new— blend of chronicle, history, fiction, and mirror for magistrates

What does Morte Darthur do? Mirror for Magistrates—tells a valuable lesson for those in authority Recalls the values of chivalry, loyalty, brotherhood Shows how individual ambition and passion can destroy corporate well-being Offers some hope that good times will someday come back