1. The Medieval Period 1066-1485 C.E. It all starts with the
Norman Conquest. . .

3. The NORMANS were Viking descendants who had settled in France

4. NORMANS were CHRISTIANS, lived in a FEUDAL system, and were led by William, the Duke of Normandy (A.K.A. William the Conqueror)

5. At the Battle of Hastings, William defeated the Anglo-Saxon king, Harold II of England.

6. The Anglo-Saxon nobility were suppressed, had their lands confiscated, and language altered

7. Anglo-Saxon words become the “lower” words, while the Norman/French words were more classy and sophisticated, OR associated with better, “higher” things:
Swine – Bacon, Pork
Sheep-Mutton
Ox-Beef/Boeuf

8. MORALITY PLAYS – designed to instruct the people on how to behave
Key Medieval Literature ideas are. . .
CHIVALRY- a code of knightly behavior involving loyalty, valor and service to one’s lady
ARTHURIAN LEGEND – various versions of the legend were told during the middle ages
MORALITY PLAYS – designed to instruct the people on how to behave

11. -Second only to Shakespeare in terms of fame and accomplishment
Geoffrey Chaucer –
-Second only to Shakespeare in terms of fame and accomplishment
-The Canterbury Tales is a FRAME story that demonstrates three segments of society brought together on a pilgrimage.
The Peasants
The Church
The Court and Nobility