1. British Literature Unit II The Medieval Period 1066-1485

2. Norman Invasion Descended from Germanic tribes that invaded the French Descended from Germanic tribes that invaded the French Adopted the French language and allegiance to French king Adopted the French language and allegiance to French king When English King, Edward the Confessor, died without an heir in 1066, Norman duke William claimed the throne. When English King, Edward the Confessor, died without an heir in 1066, Norman duke William claimed the throne. Won the Battle of Hastings Won the Battle of Hastings

3. William the Conqueror William the Conqueror took all land William the Conqueror took all land Ejected Anglo-Saxon leaders Ejected Anglo-Saxon leaders Most people were serfs, permanent slaves to Norman lords. Most people were serfs, permanent slaves to Norman lords. The clergy owned vast tracks of land, maintained separate legal system, taxes (tithes), and communicated with religious leaders. The clergy owned vast tracks of land, maintained separate legal system, taxes (tithes), and communicated with religious leaders. Clergy supervised education of most people Clergy supervised education of most people

4. Language Three languages Three languages Normans rulers: French Clergy & legal profession: Latin Commoners: Evolving Anglo-Saxon

5. Medieval Literature Norman invasion prevented people from writing literature down/ oral tradition Norman invasion prevented people from writing literature down/ oral tradition Literary Traditions Survived Nobility: retold the heroic adventures of King Arthur, Charlemagne, etc. Nobility: retold the heroic adventures of King Arthur, Charlemagne, etc. Clergy: retold sermons and saints lives Clergy: retold sermons and saints lives Commoners: ballads and carols Commoners: ballads and carols

6. English Language Evolved Over 4 centuries following the Norman invasion, Germanic Anglo-Saxon language combined with Norman French Over 4 centuries following the Norman invasion, Germanic Anglo-Saxon language combined with Norman French Plus, lawyers and scholars added Latin to the mix Plus, lawyers and scholars added Latin to the mix By Chaucer’s time, this blended language is comprehensible to us By Chaucer’s time, this blended language is comprehensible to us Thus, Modern English was born! Thus, Modern English was born!

7. Medieval Literature Many works are lost, yet 3 types remain Many works are lost, yet 3 types remain Folk Ballads: song lyrics Folk Ballads: song lyrics Poems: Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer Poems: Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer * trained in Royal court, close to powerful * well traveled throughout Europe * studied literature of France and Italy Arthurian Legend: written by Sir Thomas Malory Arthurian Legend: written by Sir Thomas Malory * one of first English books in print * 1476 Printing press came to London * Changed literature forever

8. The Canterbury Tales The Prologue The Prologue The Prologue The Prologue