1. Mi ddle Ages 1066~1485

2. October 1066 Duke William of Normandy defeats King Harold –Aka William the Conqueror

3. The Doomsday Book Inventory of every piece of property in England –People are taxed on what they own

4. Feudalism Caste Property Military Social Behavior

5. The Feudal System The basic chain of feudalism was as follows: 1. God 2. Kings 3. Nobles (Barons, Bishops, etc.) 4. Knights- who did not own land 5. Serfs or peasants- who did not own land

6. Chivalry Ideals and behavior codes that governed both knights and gentlewoman –Loyalty to the overlord –Acceptance of certain rules of warfare –Adoration of a particular lady Courtly love

7. Influences on English Literature

8. The Crusades Muslims and Christians Began in 1096 Mathematics, Astronomy, Architecture, and Crafts

9. Thomas a Becket Where Chaucer’s pilgrims are going Archbishop of Canterbury –Middle man between King and Pope –King appointed him –“Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?” –He then became a martyr

10. The Magna Carta W ritten by aristocrats for aristocrats. Signaled end of papal power

11. The Hundred Years’ War England vs. France 1337~1453 Development of British national consciousness End of feudalism

12. The Black Death Highly contagious Wiped out 1/3 of population Labor shortage –More power –Freedom of serfs

13. Intro to Canterbury Tales and Chaucer

14. The Life and Work of Chaucer First name Geoffrey –Father of English Literature & Poetry Born 1343 Father, John, was a wealthy man Lived in Vintry District of London Went to St. Paul’s Almonery School –Learned Latin, rhetoric, religion, philosophy, science, and French

15. Written works The Book of the Duchess The Parliament of Fowls The House of Tame Troilus and Criseyde The Legend of Good Women: A Life of St. Cecelia The Canterbury Tales

16. Historical Background Set in 14 th century London Ruled by King and nobles who had all the political power and the Catholic Church had all authority in spiritual matters. Rise in middle class because of trade and commerce. Most of the population was agrarian, poor peasants.

17. Historical continued Clergy became landowners. Abuse and corruption began in the church. The Plague wiped out 1/3 of the population. 1381: Peasants’ Rebellion

18. The Canterbury Tales Chaucer’s view of life in the city of London –3 Estates: Church, Nobility, Peasantry Many sources are quoted –Ovid, Vigil –Augustine, Boethius –Descartes –Dante and Petrarch

19. The Canterbury Tales Continued Collection of short stories Framed by a journey and told by travelers Written in Middle English not French or Latin. –Vernacular Well-received

20. Types of medieval literature Romance: a narrative in metrical verse; tales of love, adventure, knightly combat, and ceremony. Fabliau: stories based on trickery and deception; often involves adultery. Myth: a story originating in classical literature.

21. Types Continued Breton Lais: a type of fairy tale; set in Brittany province of France; contains fairies, elves, folk wisdom, and folktales. Beast Fable: animals personify human qualities and act out human situations; usually teaches a lesson. Sermon: a Christian lesson

22. Types Continued Exemplum: a story which teaches a well- known lesson Allegory: a tale in which a person represents abstract qualities (death, virtue, love) Mock Romance: parodies, or makes fun, of the usual subjects of a romance.