1. Notes on the history, codes, and literature between 1066-1500
The Medieval or Middle Ages
Notes on the history, codes, and literature between

2. Periodization Early Middle Ages: 500 – 1000
High Middle Ages: – 1250
Late Middle Ages:

3. Time Line 1. Norman Conquest 2. The Age of Feudalism
1066- William the Conqueror from Normandy invades and conquers
King William breaks up English holdings—gives to his followers
They change/influence the language with French
Rise of a new social system
2. The Age of Feudalism
Caste or property system
Carried with it a sense of form and manners that influence—
Art, literature, and all aspects of life
3. The Decline of Feudalism
Mid 1300’s due to the Black Death

4. Feudalism
A political, economic, and social system based on loyalty and military service.

5. Feudalism leads to Knighthood
Grounded in feudal loyalty and based on complex system of social codes
Mounted warrior
Man of rank, or in service of a man of rank
Generally possesses some independent means of support, but relies on the gratitude of those he has served
Knights errant -- wandering knights who traveled the country in quest of adventure

6. Page/Valet—Age 7 Taken from home to the court or castle
Taught first articles of religion, respect, and reverence for their lords
Initiated in ceremonies of the court
Carve, wait at table, and perform menial tasks
Taught falconry, dancing, harp playing, hunting, fishing, wrestling, tilting with spears, & performing military exercises on horseback

7. AGE 14  Become a Squire
Taught to vault on a horse, to run, to scale walls, to spring over ditches – all in heavy armor
Taught to wrestle, to wield the battle-axe without raising the visor or taking a breath
Taught to perform gracefully on horseback
Taught courtesy or refinements of civilization
Encouraged to bestow his attentions on a young lady of the court

8. AGE 21  Initiation to the Knighthood
Preparation for the Ceremony:
Fast and spend whole nights in prayer
Confession and communion
Clothed in snow-white garment
Go to church or hall where the ceremony is to be held
Wear a knightly sword suspended from neck

9. Chivalry Knighthood & Its Code of Honor
Invincible strength
Valor
Justice
Modesty
Loyalty to superiors
Courtesy to equals
Compassion to weakness
Devotedness to the church

10. Chivalry and Courtly Love
System of to ideals and social codes governing behavior of knights and gentlewomen.
Courtly Love= nonsexual—adoring lady and her attention is to make a knight braver
Romance
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Le Morte D’ Arthur
Romantic Hero—who, with the help of magic, goes on a quest to conquer evil enemy

11. King Arthur The Once and Future King

12. Notable Arthurs One of the most popular legends from England
34 movie adaptations
16 modernizations
13 TV Shows
13 Animations
240 Novels
300 + Myths and Legends

13. In the Beginning… Geoffrey of Monmouth 1130 First record of Arthur
History of the Kings of Britain
Begins the History with King Arthur
Approx
…but was Arthur real?

14. Who is Arthur?
Arthur as presented in the legends was NOT a real person.
There was, however, a chieftain named Arthur.
Historical Arthur lived in the Dark Ages, at the end of the 5th and beginning of the 6th centuries.
Literary Arthur comes from medieval times, during the 12th century.

15. A Real Legend Celtic Mythology Romantic Themes + Fairylike elements
History of Arthur
Celtic Mythology
Romantic Themes
+ Fairylike elements
__________________
Arthurian Legend
Medieval Arthur
Historical Arthur

16. Important Characters Uther Pendragon – Arthur’s biological father.
Igraine – Arthur’s biological mother
Sir Ector - Arthur’s adoptive father
Merlin – Arthur’s counselor, prophet, magician, & wizard; he placed Arthur with Sir Ector.
Morgan le Fay – Arthur’s half sister; healer & shape- changer; an adversary of both Arthur & Guinevere.
Morgause – Arthur’s half sister; married to King Lot; mother of Gawain, Gaheris, Agravain, Gareth, & Mordred.

17. Important Characters
Sir Kay – son of Sir Ector; raised as Arthur’s step-brother.
Mordred – Arthur’s nephew; seized Guinevere & rebelled against Arthur.
Guinevere – Arthur’s wife; Lancelot’s lover.
Lancelot – Arthur’s chief knight & rival for Guinevere’s love.
The Lady of the Lake – aka Vivienne; gave Excalibur to Arthur; enchanted & imprisoned Merlin.
Joseph of Arimathea – soldier of Pontius Pilate who was given the cup (Holy Grail) from the Last Supper; settled in Glastonbury.

18. Important Places Camelot – King Arthur’s kingdom.
Isle of Avalon – island to which Arthur is sent to recover from the last battle.
Glastonbury – claimed by some to be the actual Isle of Avalon, as it was once surrounded by marshes.

19. Important Motifs
Excalibur – Arthur’s magical sword; given to him by The Lady of the Lake.
The Holy Grail – the cup used by Christ at the Last Supper; used by Joseph of Arimathea to catch Christ’s blood when he was on the cross.
The Round Table – the table given as part of Guinevere’s dowry & used by Arthur and his knights.
Each knight’s name was magically inscribed on the table.
Everybody was equal.

20. Knights of the Round Table
Sir Galahad
Sir Lancelot du Lac
Sir Gawain
Sir Percivale
Sir Lionell
Sir Tristram de Lyones
Sir Gareth
Sir Bedivere
Sir Bleoberis
Sir La Cote Male Taile
Sir Lucan
Sir Kay
Sir Palomedes
Sir Lamorak
Sir Bors de Ganis
Sir Safer
Sir Pelleas
Sir Ector de Maris
Sir Dagonet
Sir Degore
Sir Brunor le Noir
Sir Le Bel Desconneu
Sir Alymere
Sir Mordred

21. What it means to be a Knight-
The emblem of the Knights of the Round Table worn round the necks of all the Knights was given to them by King Arthur as part of the ceremony of their being made a knight.
The Order's dominant idea was the love of God, people, and noble deeds.
The cross in the emblem was to remind them that they were to live pure and stainless lives, to strive after perfection and thus attain the Holy Grail.
The Red Dragon of King Arthur represented their allegiance to the King.
The Round Table was illustrative of the Eternity of God, the equality, unity, and comradeship of the Order, and singleness of purpose of all the Knights.

22. Rules/Codes of a Knight
To never do outrage nor murder
Always to flee treason
To, by no means,be cruel but to give mercy unto him who asks for mercy
To always do ladies, gentlewomen, and widows succor (to go to the aid of one in distress; to help)
To never force ladies, gentlewomen, or widows
Not to take up battles in wrongful quarrels for love or worldly goods
To never lay down arms
To seek after wonders

23. Rules/Codes of a Knight
When called upon, to defend the rights of the weak with all one's strength
To injure no one
Not to attack one another
To fight for the safety of one's country
To give one's life for one's country
To seek nothing before honor
Never to break faith for any reason
To practice religion most diligently
To grant hospitality to anyone, each according to his ability
Whether in honor or disgrace, to make a report with the greatest fidelity to truth to those who keep the annuals

24. Sir Thomas Malory Wrote the book while in Newgate Prison
Published 14 years after his death
Soldier in service to the Earl of Warwick
Accused of various crimes, such as: rape, armed robbery, attempted murder
Irony: he was a scoundrel but believed in courage and loyalty and was a man of ideals.
Brought back the old ideals of French romances, tales of chivalry, and magic
Died around 1471

25. Just Remember…
To take video notes..
And write a summary