1. Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales
Historical Context and Background

2. The Norman Invasion
The Normans (from modern day France) invaded England and took power from the Anglo-Saxons in 1066
They changed the language by adding in French words to the vocabulary and used French for government matters (creating Middle English)
The “medieval period” refers to the time period between

3. The Middle Ages Crazy things are happening... Black Death
Wars (Crusades, Hundred Years War)
Famine
Countries forming and dissolving

4. Danse Macabre

5. The Middle Ages Society is split into Clergy, Nobles and Peasants
The clergy were revered and had power
Nobles, knights and kings fought and maintained land
The peasants worked the land and paid taxes to the nobles and clergy

6. The Middle Ages
The church had ultimate power and was at the center of life
People paid “indulgences” to the church to get salvation and forgiveness
When nobles and peasants died, they left everything to the church
By the late Middle Ages, the church owned more land than anybody
Many clergy members were corrupt and accepted bribes and gifts

7. Medieval Fair