The Middle Ages - England gets French-ified

The Battle of Hastings – 1066 C.E. Duke William of Normandy (William the Conqueror, William the Bastard) crosses the English Channel and defeats a force of Anglo-Saxon defenders led by King Harold Duke William of Normandy (William the Conqueror, William the Bastard) crosses the English Channel and defeats a force of Anglo-Saxon defenders led by King Harold –Felt that the crown of England was rightfully his –Meant to rule the Anglo-Saxons, not eliminate them Changed the course of English History; radically effected the English character and language Changed the course of English History; radically effected the English character and language Introduced England to the European mainstream Introduced England to the European mainstream –Land divided up among Norman (French) royalty –Taxes paid to the French crown –Christianity officially introduced to daily life –Loyal Dependency replaced by Feudalism

Tapestry depicting King Harold’s death at The Battle of Hastings

William the (Bastard) Conqueror

Feudalism – God’s Kingdom Come Social caste system set up to represent God’s Hierarchy Social caste system set up to represent God’s Hierarchy King is essentially “God on Earth” (Doomsday Book) King is essentially “God on Earth” (Doomsday Book) Like Loyal Dependency, but hereditary, much larger, and extremely organized Like Loyal Dependency, but hereditary, much larger, and extremely organized One’s status in feudalism was decided before birth. One’s status in feudalism was decided before birth. –To question one’s status or have ambitions of social mobility was considered a sin

Feudal Structure God ordains the King; God ordains the King; –King receives taxes (duties) from Lords Lords/Vassals rewarded with land Lords/Vassals rewarded with land –use land to make money in the market and/or generate taxes Knights keep the order Knights keep the order –receive “room and board” and/or some opportunity to make money off the land Serfs grovel in the muck; Serfs grovel in the muck; –tied to land; get to go to heaven when they die.

Chivalry and Courtly Love Chivalry was a behavior code that governed the actions (and psyches) of knights and gentlewomen Chivalry was a behavior code that governed the actions (and psyches) of knights and gentlewomen –Governed rules of warfare (do not attack an unarmed knight, etc.) Honor Honor Bravery Bravery “Knight’s Errands” “Knight’s Errands” –Governed behavior “at court” (upper class society); COURTESY (correct courtly behavior) was the ultimate goal of the upper classes Speech Speech Appearance Appearance Etiquette (dining, dancing, holding doors, etc.) Etiquette (dining, dancing, holding doors, etc.)

Courtly Love One of the most important elements of chivalric “courtesy.” One of the most important elements of chivalric “courtesy.” Intended to give the Knight a model for self- improvement Intended to give the Knight a model for self- improvement Originated from the cult of the Virgin Mary Originated from the cult of the Virgin Mary –Worship of “The Devine Feminine?” A knight swears dedication to a maiden A knight swears dedication to a maiden –Usually not his wife –Expresses that the women embodies earthly perfection; a reflection of the divine –Ideally, the relationship is non-sexual (oops!) –The knight must honor the maiden’s EVERY REQUEST! –Wear’s her colors into battle; dedicates victory to her

The problem with the “Knight in Shining Armor” Led to new, more modern concept of love Led to new, more modern concept of love –Love used to be a combination of lust and business –After courtly love, it has become the “perfect union” Idea that “there is someone for everyone” Idea that “there is someone for everyone” Image of the love sick man who is physically ill over loss of his lover. Image of the love sick man who is physically ill over loss of his lover. Led to an improved view of women Led to an improved view of women –Men idolized them, thought them to be perfect in every way Led to negative view of women (misogyny) Led to negative view of women (misogyny) –They are too pure for the world; must be protected from it –If women are perfect, then they can’t make mistakes –When they make mistakes, it gives men justification for what is wrong in the world; blame women for everything

Feudalism: an imperfect arrangement Feudalism didn’t always work the way it was supposed to Feudalism didn’t always work the way it was supposed to –If King or Overlord was weak, those who toiled under him would refuse to pay up small scale civil wars, castle sieges, etc. small scale civil wars, castle sieges, etc. In the cities, a middle class developed In the cities, a middle class developed –Free men; managed to gain some social mobility –Laughed in the face of Chivalry and Courtesy –Changed (in many cases dumbed-down) poetry and the arts; made them more “popular” –Described in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales

The Crusades (11c – 13c) Wars fought between Christians and Muslims for control of Jerusalem Wars fought between Christians and Muslims for control of Jerusalem Muslim empire was FAR MORE advanced than Christian society Muslim empire was FAR MORE advanced than Christian society European war, not English war European war, not English war The perfect errand for Knights The perfect errand for Knights –Propelled the rise of chivalry –Supported the feudal system

The Hundred Years’ War Considered the first great national war Considered the first great national war Resolution of William the Conqueror’s claims to the English Throne (Edward III and Henry V) Resolution of William the Conqueror’s claims to the English Throne (Edward III and Henry V) No clear victor but: No clear victor but: –A distinctly ENGLISH character arose –Small landowners, called Yeoman (see Robin Hood), begin to replace the chivalric knights –Effectively kills chivalry and undermines feudalism

The difference between Anglo- Saxon and Medieval Literature All these changes are evident in English Medieval Literature All these changes are evident in English Medieval Literature –New emphasis on Christianity –Pagan allusions and references remain (magic, animism, divine feminine, etc.) –New focus on our relationship to society (both earthly and heavenly) rather than our relationship with the universe and wyrd. Dramatic shift from the ID (Anglo-Saxon) to the EGO (Medieval) Dramatic shift from the ID (Anglo-Saxon) to the EGO (Medieval)