The Middle English Period The Medieval Period The Dark Ages

The Date 1066 Historically – The Battle of Hastings and the end of the Anglo- Saxon Period. Literarily – Development of the English Language which is known as “Middle English.”

The Normans or “North Men” Once Viking raiders, they settled on the coast of France. William (the Conqueror), Duke of Normandy, became the first King of England. William introduced the practices of the French to England – beginning the Middle Ages.

Feudalism A political and economic system in which the hierarchy of power was based on the premise that the king owned all of the land in the kingdom. William the Conqueror

Feudalism in England William kept a fourth of the land for himself, granted a fourth to the church, and he divided the remaining land to loyal nobles – mostly Norman barons. The nobles would either pay the king or would supply him with warriors called knights.

Feudalism Hierarchy Earthly Hierarchy King Lords Knights Serfs Divine Order God Angels Man Animate/Inanimate Objects Satan

The Lowest Class – The Serfs The conquered Anglo- Saxons became the serf class. Serfs were peasants bound to land they could not own.

The Lords Lords built strong castles to protect Norman interest. Constructed around the same time as the Tower of London (late 11th century), Dover Castle stands as one of the earliest castles built by William the Conqueror after his conquest of Anglo-Saxon England.

The Church Great cathedrals and abbeys were erected on the new church lands. Margam Abbey was a Cistercian monastery. It was founded in 1147 as a daughter house of Clairvaux by Robert, Earl of Gloucester and was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Role of Women in Feudal Society A woman’s position in society depended on that of her husband or father. A woman and her property were always under the control of a man. A widow would be controlled by her eldest son or her husband’s overlord.

Woman’s Role Continued A woman’s principal occupation would be: –Running of the household –Spinning, weaving, and sewing A woman held the same rank as her husband. –In his absence, she controlled the household and whatever land he owned. –Her responsibility could include authority over hundreds of people.

King William’s Successors Henry I – died in Henry was a weak ruler and his death prompted a power struggle between the lords and Henry’s daughter Matilda. Matilda’s son became King Henry II in Henry II is one of medieval England’s most memorable rulers.

Henry II Reformed the judicial system –instituted royal courts throughout the country –established a series of juries –initiated the formation of English common law

Elinor of Aquitaine: Henry’s Wife A former French queen who had brought with her vast land holdings in France. Brought with her the ideals of chivalry –A code of honor intended to govern knightly behavior –The code encouraged knights to honor and protect ladies and to go on holy quests. The Crusades – European Christians attempted to wrest the holy city of Jerusalem from Moslem control. ( )

Richard I: Richard the Lion-Hearted. Reigned as king for 10 years. Spent much of this time fighting in the Crusades and in France protecting England’s holdings.

King John – “The Villain of Many Robin Hood Legends” Signed the Magna Carta (“Great Charter”) in The document, a declaration of feudal rights, stressed three points. –First, the Church was free to make ecclesiastic appointments. –Second, larger-than-normal amounts of money could only be collected with the consent of the king's feudal tenants. –Third, no freeman was to be punished except within the context of common law. The Magna Carta, although a testament to John's complete failure as monarch, was the forerunner of modern constitutions.

The Magna Carta Granted more power to the lords – was an early step to democracy Henry III (John’s son) established an advisory council of lords – now call a parliament – began to meet regularly. Edward I (Henry’s successor) the Model Parliament of 1295 established –the inclusion of commoners (House of Commons) –as well as the lords (House of Lords)

The Decline of Feudalism As commoners’ power increased, so did the growth of medieval towns. The Crusades led to an increase in trade. Merchants and craftspeople formed organizations called “guilds” to control the price and flow of goods. Guilds also established rules for advancing from apprentice to master craftsman. The growth of towns meant the decline of feudalism.

The Medieval Town Wealth was no longer based on land ownership. Aided in the development of the middle class/merchant class. The increasing population of townspeople led to poor sanitation. Diseases, like plague, could spread rapidly.

The Medieval Town Centers of commerce. Universities became England’s chief centers of learning Oxford University –Roger Bacon advanced study of science and mathematics –John Wycliffe led an effort to end widespread church corruption –Eventually, Wycliffe’s teachings would influence religious reformer Martin Luther.

The Hundred Years’ War War that began in 1337 between England and France. Took place during Wycliffe’s church reform efforts. England also was weathering crisis at home –The Black Death (killed 1/3 of England’s population) –The Peasant Revolt of 1381 –Richard II’s forced abdication of the throne in 1399

The War of the Roses Two rival families claim the throne of England. House of York – the white rose House of Lancaster – the red rose The War of the Roses ended in 1485 with Lancastrian Henry Tudor killed the Yorkist King Richard III at Bosworth Field and took the throne as Henry VII. The beginning of the Tudor Dynasty ends the Middle Language Period of literature and signals the beginning of the Renaissance.