The Medieval Period in England

I. The Norman Invasion II.Effects of the Norman Conquest III.The Effects of the Church IV.Rise of the Common People V.Literature of the Middle Ages The Medieval Period (aka the Middle Ages)

The Norman Invasion The Battle of Hastings-1066 William (Duke of Normandy) and Harold fought over the throne of England after Edward the Confessor died childless. Outcome—William’s forces killed Harold and his family; William claimed title to the crown and became known as William the Conqueror.

Effects of the Norman Conquest New Language Rulers and Aristocrats > French Clergy (church) > Latin Commoners > Old English (later ME) Change in Living Conditions Rise in the growth of towns Stability in religion Stability in administering of justice

The Feudal System All land belonged to king by divine right. Land was distributed in large estates to king’s friends. A Landholding and Military System Knights and serfs did not own land. All men pledged military allegiance to an overlord.

Hierarchy of the Feudal System God King Lord Subject

Knighthood Boys received formal training from an early age. 1 st Step—Page (age 7) 2 nd Step—Squire (age 14) 3 rd Step—Knight (age 21) After demonstrating bravery, trainees became knights and received the title of “Sir” during a dubbing ceremony.

Code of Chivalry Loyalty to God (the church) and the king and reverence for women Important concepts were honor, humility, and bravery. Courtly love—knights put women (especially unattainable women such as the queen) on a pedestal and performed great deeds in their honor.

The Effects of the Church The church became a hierarchal institution. The church was the center of education; monks learned of Greek and Roman scholars as well as teachings of the church (the beginnings of Oxford and Cambridge Universities) Pope God Archbishops Bishops Priests

Crusades Series of wars supported by the church around People traveled widely and had contact with higher civilizations of the Middle East Led to a richer, more varied life (a step toward the modern world)

Succession of Kings William I William II Henry I Stephen Henry II

Thomas a’ Becket Life—appointed by Henry II, his friend, to Archbishop of Canterbury so Henry could win disputes between church and crown; Becket sided with Pope, not Henry Death—Henry nonchalantly mentioned that he’d like to get rid of Becket; four of Henry’s knights killed Becket in the Canterbury Cathedral Result—SAINT Thomas a’ Becket, the martyr; people built a shrine for him at Canterbury and it became a favorite place of pilgrimage

Rise of the Common People Middle Class formed as trade and industry increased merchants and craftsmen formed guilds (unions) Magna Carta (1215) Took some power from the king and gave it to the people Middle class began to be heard in government King John was forced to sign it

BLACK DEATH A severe epidemic of plague in the 14 th century Left black patches on the skin of its victims Killed 40 % of the population of England Caused a labor shortage which resulted in the freedom of many serfs Gave lower class leverage over their overlords Rise of the Common People

English Language Once again heard and taught Had changed considerably due to Latin and French influences (Middle English) Nationalism (Pride in One’s Country) People had shaken off depression of the Norman Conquest Hundred Years War-England v. France; England militarily unsuccessful but developed national consciousness

Literature of the Middle Ages Early literature was lost in Norman Invasion First surviving pieces are religious (c. 1200) Secular poets began to appear, many writing about King Arthur

Literature of the Middle Ages Folk ballads Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Le Morte d’ Arthur by Sir Thomas Mallory