1. The Canterbury Tales Introductory Notes

2. Changes in England Norman Conquest—1066 –Normans (“north men”) were descendents of Vikings, who had invaded France in the 9 th century –William, Duke of Normandy, was related to the English king, Edward. –When Edward died, William claimed the English throne was rightfully his, so he took it by force.

3. William the Conqueror Confiscated the land of the Anglo-Saxon nobles Controlled government Conducted business in Norman French or in Latin Brought feudalism to England

4. Feudalism Flourished in Europe when there was no strong central government Exchange of property for service All land belongs to the king King gives land to his supporters (“barons”)

5. What Barons Gave Taxes/fees Supply a certain number of knights –Professional soldiers, usually from wealthier class, raised to be knights –Knights got smaller parcels of land called manors

6. The bottom rung… Serfs were the peasants who worked on the manors

7. The Feudal System

8. The Catholic Church Most important unifying influence Much corruption Elaborate catherals/Gothic architecture Stained glass windows taught the Bible to a largely illiterate population

10. Henry II Norman rule ended in 1154 when Henry came to throne. Conflict with the Church Appointed his friend, Thomas Becket, as Archbishop of Canterbury Expected Becket to take his side, but instead Becket appealed to the Pope, who agreed with Becket

11. Thomas Becket Henry II was angry. Some of his knights misunderstood and murdered Becket in the cathedral. Thus, Becket was considered a martyr.

12. Idea for Canterbury Tales Henry tried to atone for the murder by making a holy journey, or pilgrimage, to Becket’s shrine at Canterbury A pilgrimage to Canterbury became a common way to show religious devotion (and also a great vacation!). Chaucer uses this idea of a pilgrimage to help form his frame story.

13. Medieval Literature Religious dramas and morality plays Poetry Romances (tales of knights and chivalry)

14. The English Language Called “Middle English” Old English + Norman French New words often related to feudalism, chivalry, and French customs Examples: sir, madam, courtesy, honor, chivalry, dine, table, roast, court, royal

15. Printing William Caxton set up the first moveable type press in England in 1476. One of the first things he printed was The Canterbury Tales (in Middle English)

16. Geoffrey Chaucer, 1343?-1400 Born into merchant class—father was a wine merchant Became servant in aristocratic household Soldier Diplomat Royal Clerk From these jobs, he learned about all classes of society

17. Claims to Fame One of the first authors to write in English rather than French or Latin Father of English poetry Buried in Westminster Abbey—Poets’ Corner established around his tomb

18. The Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s most famous book –He himself is a character in the book as a short, plump, slightly foolish pilgrim who commands no great respect Still unfinished when Chaucer died Collection of stories within a frame story (travelers on pilgrimage) Gives a glimpse of many segments of English society during the 14 th century

19. The Tales Romances Fabliaux (short, humorous, “dirty” stories) Stories about saints Sermons Allegories

20. The Pilgrims Tell tales that are consistent with their characters

21. Style Mostly heroic couplets—a pair of rhyming lines with five stressed syllables each: “The veins are bathed in liquor of such power As brings about the engendering of the flower”