1. The Medieval Period (1066-1485)

2. The Norman Conquest of England In 1066, the English King, Edward the Confessor, died.In 1066, the English King, Edward the Confessor, died. His cousin, Harold II, was crowned king.His cousin, Harold II, was crowned king. Their cousin, Duke William of Normandy, also wanted the throne.Their cousin, Duke William of Normandy, also wanted the throne.

3. The Norman Conquest of England The Duke, also known as William the Conqueror, invaded England in September of 1066.The Duke, also known as William the Conqueror, invaded England in September of 1066. He defeated King Harold in the Battle of Hastings.He defeated King Harold in the Battle of Hastings.

4. The Norman Conquest of England The Normans left a terrible mark on the English people.The Normans left a terrible mark on the English people. They killed most of the English nobility.They killed most of the English nobility. Also divided the country into estates called fiefdoms, ruled by barons.Also divided the country into estates called fiefdoms, ruled by barons.

5. Anglo-Norman Literature The Norman conquest also deterred the continuation of the English language.The Norman conquest also deterred the continuation of the English language. English became a language of the lower class.English became a language of the lower class. High-borns only spoke French.High-borns only spoke French.

6. Anglo-Norman Literature Production of literature came to a near stand-still.Production of literature came to a near stand-still. Monks continued to produce some writing.Monks continued to produce some writing. Commoners composed songs in English.Commoners composed songs in English. Very little of this material survives today.Very little of this material survives today.

7. Anglo-Norman Literature Most literature written during this period of time was in French.Most literature written during this period of time was in French. It tended to be practical and no-nonsense.It tended to be practical and no-nonsense. Much consisted of religious works geared towards self-improvement rather than entertainment.Much consisted of religious works geared towards self-improvement rather than entertainment.

8. Anglo-Norman Literature The most important literary technique introduced was the rhymed stanza.The most important literary technique introduced was the rhymed stanza. It replaced Anglo-Saxon verse almost overnight.It replaced Anglo-Saxon verse almost overnight. Became the primary form of poetry in England.Became the primary form of poetry in England.

9. Anglo-Norman Literature The upper class used English again, and English was once again considered the nation’s primary language.The upper class used English again, and English was once again considered the nation’s primary language. By the middle of the 13 th Century, England lost Normandy and severed ties with France By the middle of the 13 th Century, England lost Normandy and severed ties with France

10. The Organization of Medieval Society William the Conqueror introduced the political system of feudalism to England.William the Conqueror introduced the political system of feudalism to England. All land and people belonged to the king.All land and people belonged to the king. Kings granted land to barons, who in turn granted lands to lesser nobles.Kings granted land to barons, who in turn granted lands to lesser nobles. Barons rose armies and fought for the kings. They also paid taxes to support the courts.Barons rose armies and fought for the kings. They also paid taxes to support the courts.

11. The Organization of Medieval Society The lowest members of society were the peasants, or serfs.The lowest members of society were the peasants, or serfs. They lived and worked on the nobles’ land and could not leave or marry without permission.They lived and worked on the nobles’ land and could not leave or marry without permission. They barely ate and suffered from disease. They barely ate and suffered from disease. Gave almost all of their earnings to their lords. Gave almost all of their earnings to their lords.

12. The Organization of Medieval Society Feudal society was based on the hierarchy of vassalage or servitude.Feudal society was based on the hierarchy of vassalage or servitude. Higher powers provided land and protection for lower powers.Higher powers provided land and protection for lower powers. Lower powers provided food and services for higher powers.Lower powers provided food and services for higher powers.

13. The Influence of the Church The Catholic Church had tremendous wealth and power.The Catholic Church had tremendous wealth and power. Countless grand churches were built in the new Romanesque and Gothic styles.Countless grand churches were built in the new Romanesque and Gothic styles.

14. The Influence of the Church Many religious leaders also served as government officials.Many religious leaders also served as government officials. Political leaders and clergymen often quarreled.Political leaders and clergymen often quarreled. The most famous example was when the king’s men murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury.The most famous example was when the king’s men murdered the Archbishop of Canterbury.

15. The Influence of the Church Much of medieval literature deals with religious subjects and themes. Two of the most used themes were:Much of medieval literature deals with religious subjects and themes. Two of the most used themes were: Memento mori: reminder of death.Memento mori: reminder of death. Contemptu mundi: contempt for the world.Contemptu mundi: contempt for the world.

16. The Influence of the Church People also went on religious pilgrimages, or journeys to sacred places, which were often the subject of stories and poems.People also went on religious pilgrimages, or journeys to sacred places, which were often the subject of stories and poems. Most famous example is The Canterbury Tales.Most famous example is The Canterbury Tales.

17. The Influence of the Church From the 11 th to 13 th Centuries, the Church sponsored a series of Crusades.From the 11 th to 13 th Centuries, the Church sponsored a series of Crusades. These Holy Wards were fought in hopes of recapturing Jerusalem from the Muslim people.These Holy Wards were fought in hopes of recapturing Jerusalem from the Muslim people. Christians from all over Europe fought, returning with Persian and Arabic literature.Christians from all over Europe fought, returning with Persian and Arabic literature. This poetry tended to idealize women.This poetry tended to idealize women.

18. Romance, Chivalry, and Courtly Love The Crusades and devotion to the Virgin Mary contributed to the development of unique literature known as romance.The Crusades and devotion to the Virgin Mary contributed to the development of unique literature known as romance. We think of romances as love stories, but they are also adventure stories.We think of romances as love stories, but they are also adventure stories. Deal with battles, crusades, tournaments, jousts, and love of knights.Deal with battles, crusades, tournaments, jousts, and love of knights. Portrayed standards of knightly conduct, known as chivalry.Portrayed standards of knightly conduct, known as chivalry.

19. Romance, Chivalry, and Courtly Love Romances present a series of adventures testing the knight’s virtues.Romances present a series of adventures testing the knight’s virtues. The trial may take the form of a quest, or a journey to a far-off place to complete a mighty task.The trial may take the form of a quest, or a journey to a far-off place to complete a mighty task.

20. Romance, Chivalry, and Courtly Love The most famous quest was for the Holy Grail, or the cup Jesus used at the last supper.The most famous quest was for the Holy Grail, or the cup Jesus used at the last supper. Knights also frequently had to rescue or win the favor of fair maidens.Knights also frequently had to rescue or win the favor of fair maidens.

21. Medieval Literature Ballads: simple narratives in four-line stanzas that served as entertainment for the common peopleBallads: simple narratives in four-line stanzas that served as entertainment for the common people Some ballads recorded historical events.Some ballads recorded historical events. The most famous ballad of the period was the tale of Robin Hood.The most famous ballad of the period was the tale of Robin Hood.

22. Medieval Literature Medieval Dramas: plays performed in churches that centered on Bible stories and saints’ livesMedieval Dramas: plays performed in churches that centered on Bible stories and saints’ lives Mystery Plays: told stories of the BibleMystery Plays: told stories of the Bible Miracle Plays: told stories of the lives of saintsMiracle Plays: told stories of the lives of saints Morality Plays: represented abstract virtues and vices as charactersMorality Plays: represented abstract virtues and vices as characters

23. Political Developments in the Medieval Period Henry II introduced a system of traveling judges whose rulings made up common laws.Henry II introduced a system of traveling judges whose rulings made up common laws. Created legislative law in the form of Parliament.Created legislative law in the form of Parliament. King John heavily taxed the common people and was highly unpopular.King John heavily taxed the common people and was highly unpopular. He was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which lessened the power of kings and strengthened the power of the people.He was forced to sign the Magna Carta, which lessened the power of kings and strengthened the power of the people.

24. Political Developments in the Medieval Period In 1381 the English people first demanded individual liberty and human rights in the Peasant’s revolt.In 1381 the English people first demanded individual liberty and human rights in the Peasant’s revolt. They marched on London, armed with stones and farming tools.They marched on London, armed with stones and farming tools. The revolt failed and its leaders were executed.The revolt failed and its leaders were executed.

25. Social and Cultural Changes in the Medieval Period The founding of Oxford and Cambridge promoted learning.The founding of Oxford and Cambridge promoted learning. A middle class of free merchants emerged.A middle class of free merchants emerged. They gathered around mills and processed wool into cloth.They gathered around mills and processed wool into cloth.

26. Social and Cultural Changes in the Medieval Period In the mid 1300s, the bubonic plague, or Black Death, killed 1/3 of the population.In the mid 1300s, the bubonic plague, or Black Death, killed 1/3 of the population.

27. The End of the Medieval Period From 1455 to 1485, England was torn by the War of the Roses.From 1455 to 1485, England was torn by the War of the Roses. Two rivaling houses with roses for crests (York and Lancaster) vied for the throne.Two rivaling houses with roses for crests (York and Lancaster) vied for the throne. The war ended when Henry Tudor defeated King Richard III of House Lancaster.The war ended when Henry Tudor defeated King Richard III of House Lancaster.