The Middle Ages

William the Conqueror & Normans The Normans never withdrew from England. William, the duke of Normandy, wanted to rule the Anglo- Saxons, not eliminate them. Domesday Book – an inventory of nearly every piece of property in England that allowed taxes to be based off what people owned.

The Normans Change England Combined Anglo-Saxons’ democratic and artistic tendencies with the Normans’ administrative ability, emphasis on law and order, and cultural unity. Combined Anglo-Saxons’ democratic and artistic tendencies with the Normans’ administrative ability, emphasis on law and order, and cultural unity. Brought French and feudalism Brought French and feudalism

Feudalism: From the Top Down Feudalism – based on a religious concept of rank, with God as the supreme overlord Hierarchy of lords and vassals

Knights in Shining Armor The primary duty of males above the serf class was military service to their lords. The primary duty of males above the serf class was military service to their lords. Boys were trained as warriors from an early age. Boys were trained as warriors from an early age. Knighthood was grounded in the feudal ideal of loyalty and based on a complex system of social codes (chivalry). Knighthood was grounded in the feudal ideal of loyalty and based on a complex system of social codes (chivalry).

Women in Medieval Society No political rights Always subservient to a man, whether husband, father, or brother Husband’s or father’s social standing determined the degree of respect she commanded

Chivalry and Courtly Love Chivalry – a system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights and gentlewomen Chivalry – a system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights and gentlewomen Courtly love – nonsexual love where a knight glorified and adored a lady who always remained pure and out of reach Courtly love – nonsexual love where a knight glorified and adored a lady who always remained pure and out of reach

The Crusades A series of holy wars waged by European Christians against Muslims Crusaders slaughtered thousands of Jews and Muslims. Europe benefited from its contact with the sophisticated Middle Eastern civilization.

The Martyrdom of Thomas a Becket King Henry II set his friend, Thomas, as archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Catholic Church in England) in the hopes that he could gain the upper hand in disputes with the pope, but Thomas took the pope’s side several times. King Henry II set his friend, Thomas, as archbishop of Canterbury (head of the Catholic Church in England) in the hopes that he could gain the upper hand in disputes with the pope, but Thomas took the pope’s side several times. Henry raged, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” and four of his knights murdered Becket in his own cathedral. Henry raged, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” and four of his knights murdered Becket in his own cathedral.

Effects of the Catholic Church At this time all Christians belonged to the Catholic Church. Fostered cultural unity Continued to be the center of learning – its monasteries were the libraries and publishers of the time, and its language (Latin) remained the international language of educated Europeans

The Black Death (Bubonic Plague) Highly contagious and spread by fleas from infected rats Reduced the nation’s population by a third – causing a labor shortage and giving the lower classes more bargaining power