1. The Medieval Period 1066-1485 English 10 Academic

2. The Medieval Period: Feudalism A. Beginning Event: William the Conqueror won the Battle of Hastings and became the first English king. B. He introduced the feudal system to England. 1. Political & economic system 2. King owned all land and parceled (divided) it out 3. Purpose: provide security 4. Hierarchy - people couldn’t move between classes/roles

3. Rules kingdom Owns all land & keeps 25% for himself Divides up rest of land in exchange for protection (25% Church, 50% barons/lords) King Nobles who swear their allegiance to the king in exchange for land Build castles to protect the countryside Supply king with knights for protection Govern land given to them Nobles (Barons/ Lords) Serve king, lords, people & God Protect kingdom Get paid well Sometimes given land by baron Knights Provide goods, services & food for kingdom; make $ Rent from lord, can’t own land Free Peasants (Merchants & Farmers) Approx. 90% of pop., many conquered Anglo-Saxons Live on land, work for lord Not paid; can’t own land Serfs & Bound Peasants Feudalism

4. The Medieval Period: Heirs of William the Conqueror A. Henry II 1. Reformed the judicial system 2. Introduced juries & royal courts B. Henry’s wife, Eleanor (a former French queen) brought the French concept of chivalry to England 1. Strict set of rules for gentlemanly behavior 2. Both a moral & behavioral code 3. Combination of Christian & military values (faith, modesty, loyalty, courtesy, bravery & honor)

5. The Medieval Period: Heirs of William the Conqueror C. Richard I (Richard the Lionhearted) 1. Henry & Eleanor’s 1 st son; heir to throne 2. Ruled for 10 years 3. Fought in the Crusades 4. Was in France for most of his reign D. John 1. Richard’s brother 2. Plotted to kill Richard while he was away 3. Forced to sign the Magna Carta Think Robin Hood !

6. The Medieval Period: Heirs of William the Conqueror 3. John was forced by barons to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 because government was bankrupt i. Beginning of democracy in England! ii. Limited royal power iii. Gave more power to the nobles (barons) iv. Led to Model Parliament House of Commons House of Lords

7. The Medieval Period: Decline of Feudalism A. Towns began to grow 1. walls went around perimeter 2. narrow, crowded streets 3. houses built close together 4. centers of trade & art 5. Land ownership wasn’t the only way to make money B. Merchants & craftsmen formed guilds (groups/associations) 1. helped them unite & offered chance to advance 2. improved quality of products & increased profits 3. controlled flow & price of goods

8. The Medieval Period: Decline of Feudalism C. Crusades 1. Series of military expeditions 2. Christians tried to take Jerusalem from Muslims 3. Helped bring the development of an economy based on money 4. Increased trade (domestic & international) D. Peasants were needed to fight in wars 1. Opportunity for career path 2. Violates hierarchy of feudalism E. Universities grew (Italy, Spain, France, England)

9. The Medieval Period: End of Medieval Period A. The 100 Years’ War (1337-1453) 1. Off and on war between England and France who were fighting over control of the English throne 2. Helped lead to the War of the Roses 3. Inspired Joan of Arc B. Black Death : plague that killed 1/3 of Europe’s population (20 million+ people) C. Ending Event: War of the Roses (1485- 1487); Henry VII (Tudor) becomes king of England

10. The Medieval Period: War of the Roses C. Ending Event of Medieval period: War of the Roses Two families claim to have power of English throne House of York (white roses) : Richard III House of Lancaster (red roses) : Henry VII House of Tudor formed when Henry VII (Lancaster) married Elizabeth I (York) Eventually, Henry VII became king

11. The Medieval Period: Literature A. Strong oral tradition: most stories recited, sung &/or acted 1. Most people illiterate 2. Church used plays & songs to instruct people who couldn’t read the Bible 3. Books written by hand ($, rare) 4. Illuminated manuscripts – elaborately decorated handwritten documents, usually done by monks

12. The Medieval Period: Literature B. Popular Forms 1. Folk ballads (poetry) 2. Mystery & miracle plays (drama) 3. Morality tales (literature) 4. Romance tales (literature) 5. Arthurian legends – King Arthur (literature)