The Middle Ages 1066-1485

Norman Conquest October 1066 Duke William defeats King Harold, the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings Radically affected English history, language, and culture Culture reflects both Anglo-Saxons and Normans Brought emphasis on law and order Provided cultural unity Brought England into the mainstream European civilization

William the Conqueror Illegitimate son of the previous duke of Normandy Believed the throne should be his Efficient and ruthless soldier Wanted to rule the Anglo-Saxons (not wipe them out) Gave land from fallen English lords to his own men

The Domesday Book Due to William, an inventory of almost every piece of property was created People were able to be taxed based on ownership for the first time

Feudalism Based on hierarchy Centralized military, political, and economic power

Feudalism

Knighthood Males above the Serf class were expected to be warriors Training Started at an early age Trained away from home “Dubbed” hit on the shoulder to prove his knightliness Knightly Code Strict rules of conduct grounded on loyalty

Chivalry Comes from the French word “chevalier” (knight who rode a horse) Complete code of conduct Loyalty to king Faith in Christianity Fair fighting Respect for women Aid to those in need

Courtly Love Knights had “special” female fans of high position – she was “out of reach” The knight would wear her colors or say kind things about her Idealized attitude about women Did not change women’s social status Lead to the “Romance” literary genre

Women No rights Always subservient to a man (father, husband, brother) Her level respect depended on her “man’s” status Perceived value was the worth of the land she brought into a marriage

City Classes People started moving to the cities as the population grew City Classes developed Lower Middle Upper Middle Free from power of lords Created art and literature for themselves

The Crusades 1095-1270 Series of wars between European Christians and Muslims Jerusalem and the Holy Land as prize Exposed Europe and England to Middle East civilization

Thomas à Becket 1118-1170 Norman Rose to great power under Henry II (Henry hoped to gain power in disputes with the Church through Beckett) Named Arch Bishop of Canterbury After Beckett took the pope’s side in too many disputes, King Henry stated “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” 4 of Henry’s knights took him literally and murdered Beckett in his own cathedral

Thomas à Becket Named Saint Thomas the Martyr Led to Backlash against Henry II Corruption in the Church

The Church Fostered unity throughout Europe Continued to be the center for learning Monasteries the libraries and publishers of the time Latin remained the international language of the educated The Pope = the king of all kings

The Magna Carta 1215 King John was forced to sign Weakened the Church’s growing power Became the basis for English constitutional law

The 100 Years War 1st national war England vs. France Based on claims to the French throne by Edward III and Henry V Forced a cultural shift away from knights to yeomen (small landowners) Shift of power to yeoman after the fall of feudalism which paves way for democracy

The Black Death 1348-1349 Highly contagious Spread through fleas from infected rats Reduced the population by 1/3 Created labor shortage Gave the lower classes more power Fall of feudalism/Serfs free