1. The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer

2. Geoffrey Chaucer 1343? – 1400 Middle-class family Royal page, soldier, diplomat, royal clerk Varied experiences in the medieval world 1366: Married lady-in- waiting to the queen

3. The Canterbury Pilgrimage Pilgrim – a person who journeys a long distance to a sacred place as an act of religious devotion Pilgrims traveled to Canterbury Cathedral to pray at the murder site of the Archbishop of Canterbury.

4. St. Thomas Becket Born Dec 21,1118 1162 – Became Archbishop of Canterbury Killed Dec 29, 1170 by four knights loyal to King Henry II 1173 – Pope Alexander canonized Becket

5. St. Thomas Becket Martyr: Representation of the fight between the Church and the King Canterbury became the most important pilgrimage site in England

6. Middle English The Canterbury Tales is written in Middle English. Middle English: 1066-mid 15 th century Considered the vernacular, or everyday, language of the people Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendred is the flour;

7. Languages in Chaucer’s Time Five languages spoken in England during Chaucer’s time. 1.Latin: language of the Church 2.Welsh: language of Wales (west England) 3.Cornish: language of southwest England (Cornwall) 4.Norman French: language of government 5.Middle English: language of everyday

8. Norman Influences 1066 – William the Conqueror invades England Norman refers to people who lived in Normandy (France)

9. Norman Influences Norman-French was the “official” language of government (the King and others), many modern government terms were derived from the Normans. courtparliament judgeappeal jury

10. Old English v. Norman-French The invasion of the Normans expanded the English vocabulary by thousands. The following three words all mean “of or related to a king” Old English: kingly Norman-French: royal Latin: regal

11. The Canterbury Tales 26 “tales” Chaucer’s manuscript is incomplete Illustrates the traits and faults of human nature Popularized the use of English in literature The Pardoner

12. The Seven Deadly Sins 1.Pride (vanity, narcissism, conceit, arrogance) 2.Envy 3.Wrath (anger) 4.Sloth (laziness) 5.Greed (avarice – a sin of excess) 6.Gluttony (overindulgence, for example of food and drink) 7.Lust (depraved thought, need to be accepted by others, unwholesome morality)

13. The Seven Virtues 1.Chastity 2.Moderation (self-restraint) 3.Generosity 4.Labor 5.Meekness (composure) 6.Charity 7.Modesty (humbleness; humility)

14. The Canterbury Tales: The Prologue Narrator and 29 other pilgrims meet at the Tabard Inn outside London The pilgrims come from all classes of society Tavern owner, Harry Bailey, challenges the pilgrims to tell two stories each on the way to Canterbury and two stories on their journey back.