REVISION MODULE

1. REVISION MODULE from Pre-historic Britain to the Renaissance – Milestones in British literature and history CLASS 4 b TEACHER: Croci Tiziana

2. Stonehenge Mysterious prehistoric /Neolithic monument dating back to 3,000 BC for religious or astronomical purposes. Large circle, 30 stones ( 9 m high, 50 tons) How were they transported? Lately: a gathering point for New Age hgroups at Midsummer’s day (sun rises from behind a stone aligned to the horizon. Built to predict astronomical alignments and eclypses

3. What were the Celts like? They were handsome, fit, strongly-built and had fair hair and blue eyes. They were brave and excellent fighters. The bravery of the Celts in battle is legendary. They often spurned body armour, going naked into battle. Where did they come from? They were migrating warrior peoples who moved all round Europe from Britain to Turkey By the time of the Roman invasion of Britain (55BC), four tribal peoples occupied areas of modern day Wales

4. The Celts’ lifestyle The Celts (700 BC) (pagan culture, but believed in life after death and reincarnation in other beings or in nature, which was mysterious). They were organised in tribes, fine artists (lovely jewels) . They loved music. The DRUIDS were a caste of priests who administered religious practices, medical treatment and justice. Language: Gaelic, still spoken in Scotland , Wales, Ireland. Modern Druids performing a handfasting ceremony(pagan wedding)

5. Manchester Bath Doncaster The ROMANS – When? 55 BC – Julius Caesar’s arrival – 43 Romans’ settlements all over England and Wales. They stayed here for 400 years. They called the Province ‘Britannia’. The Celts who remained were romanized, the others fled to Ireland and Scotland. What did they do? They built well-planned towns (London, Bath, York). Many towns still remind us of Roman origins: Chester, Doncaster were military camps (from Latin castrum) They introduced their r civilization and language.

6. The Romans built roads, villas and baths. They introduced running water, drainage systems, house heating.

7. A huge wall, called Hadrian’s Wall was built across the northern part of England to protect Britannia from Scottish tribes (Caledonians) Hadrian's Wall Path 84 Miles (135km), 3 - 9Days The Romans left in 409 AD.

8. Who came after the Romans? When Britain gained "independence" from Rome in the year 410ad, the Roman legions withdrew leaving the country vulnerable to invaders. So Germanic tribes (from Denmark and from northern Germany)followed, among which were Angles and Saxons, Jutes who settled in the south and east. migrated They established 7 Kingdoms: their names (Kent, Sussex, Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria) still name counties or regions. Anglo-Saxons

9. Anglo-Saxons They had a primitive form of religion linked to natural forces, monsters and dragons. The literature they produced was communicated orally and consisted of stories and legends of the clan. The ‘scop’ or poet was able at improvising by adding metrical rules to vocabulary. The ‘lay of Beowulf’ is the most famous Angle Saxon poem preserved in writing. 3,000 lines , anonymous, 7th century. Setting: Scandinavia. Beowulf = hero’s name. He helps the king of the Danes (Hrothgar)by killing a monster (Grendel) and the avenging mother. Once back in his homeland Beowulf is defeated and killed by a dangerous dragon. Presence of both pagan and Christian elements + historical elements merged with legendsry ones. Based on Germanic sagas.

10. Christian elements 432: St Patrick converted Ireland to Christianity (shamrock to explain the idea of the Holy Trinity. On 17th March St Patrick’s Day, Patron Saint) Around 580. St Augustine became the first Archbishop of Canterbury. Churches, cathedrals and monasteries were built. 9th century: The Vikings arrive from Scandinavia And the Danes from the Jutland peninsula. St Augustine and Saint Michael the Archangel

11. Medieval England: 1066-1485

12. 1066: the Norman conquest took place by William Duke of Normandy, later called the Conqueror. They crossed the Channel and defeated Harold, in the battle of Hastings (reported in the Bayeux tapestry - 231 feet in length and intricately embroidered in brightly colored wools. (3,000 horses on 700 small sailing ships). William's army was victorious due largely cavalry and archers. 190 horses shown on the Bayeux tapestry

13. What did the Normans introduce in Britain? • The feudal system (pyramidal, hyerarchical system from the king down to barons, knights, villains and serfs or peasants. Basic principles: land in return for loyalty, goods and and services. The lords were English-speaking, whereas the peasants were English-speaking Saxons ----- Middle English language • The French language • Absolute power of King

14. 1154 Plantagenet Dynasty (from Planta genestra which decorated the portrait of the Duke of Normandy who married an English Emperess and who founded the dynasty) • In 1215, however the most powerful Barons made the king sign a Document (Magna Carta) which set limits to his power, e.g speaking to his Lords before levying taxes • Council of Lords ( a sort of Early Parliament) was set – small elite of nobles • No free man could be arrested, imprisoned or dispossessed without trial • 1258 A Parliament, under the leadership of Simon de Monfort was formed and the nobles who had rebelled started to rule the country. Despite the arrest and killing of Simon, the esperience was repeated and made stronger by Edward 1st in 1295 -- MODEL PARLIAMENT (foundation for modern Parliament) Edward 1st

15. Church and State under Plantagent rule Contrasts over the control of the power of the Church by kings Kings had the right to choose archbishops amd usually appointed them among their friends and advisers. Actually Henry II appointed a friend (Thomas Becket) as archbishop of Canterbury hoping to have more support from him in the Reform Bill called ‘Constitution of Clarendon (clergymen could be subdued to trial both in ecclesiastical and civil courts). Thomas Becket refused support and swas murdered in the Cantenbury Cathedral during religious service.As a result he was made a saint and martyr and the Church gained credibility and power.

16. 1337-1453 HUNDRED YEARS WAR and Black Death Reasons: possessions in Normandy, disputes since Norman times There were fluctuations in victories. From the historical English victory at Agincourt –1415 to defeat by Joan at Orléans in 1429.of Arc Towards the end (more favourable to the French) a dispute between two English rival families broke out ( Lancaster and York –red vs white rose) which led to a cruel Civil War: the War of the Roses. The result was the rising of a new dynasty: the Tudors (HENRY VII

17. Black Death - 1348 It was a kind of bubonic plague carried by ships from China to Sicily and from there to all over Europe. When the red spots turned black it was the …. end. It was carried by rats and transferred to humans by fleas.It raged for two years and it wiped out 2/3 of the population. The cause of the disease was blamed on foreigners especially Jews or witches

18. Facts and curiosities of the Middle Ages Most people lived in the country but towards the end market towns grew up where craftsmen sold their goods (shoes, pots, furniture) They were organized in guilds (associations that looked after collective rights) and interests) according to their trade or craft: tailor, goldsmiths, bakers, weavers. N.B.: Making woollen cloth was England’s main industry. Merchants bought wool from lords who owned sheep and sold it to cloth-makers who wove it in their homes. Houses were made of wood or stone and often had thatched roofs

19. Tower of London Windsor Castle Buttress (contrafforte Durham cathedral Gothic-style cathedral Canterbury The Normans were the first to build castles for the lords and soldiers to live in. The Tower of London and Windsor Castle were built in this period. They also built churches. Between 11th and 12th century -- Romanesque stuyle (thick walls, heavy pillars, round arches, narrow windows, buttresses) From the 13th century most cathedrals were in Gothic style (verticality prevailed with spires, pinnacles, pointed arches,a rose window etc)

20. L i t e r a t u r e in the M i d d l e A g e s King Arthur cycle= from 5th century, symbolic of the Celtic resistance to the invasions of the Angle Saxons. Was he a real person, a great military leader or a myth? Main elements: knights of the round table battling for the love of a virtuous woman as untouchable being + magic elements such as fairies, enchantments, dragons, all reflecting Celtic mythology. Themes: courtly love and chivalry (embodying values of bravery, honesty, loyalty and glory) Prose

21. L i t e r a t u r e in the M i d d l e A g e s Drama - (Mystery, Miracle and Morality Plays) During Christian festivals there were representations in the form of dialogues sung between a priest and the Choir. Latin language, first. Then they were given a dramatic form in the church, then outside, on the Church square and later on pageants – movable stages) Mystery Plays = from events taken from the Bible. Miracle Plays= from events taken from the Saints’ lives) The Guilds took care of the performances. Even if serious basically, humorous elements were added to entertain people.

22. L i t e r a t u r e in the M i d d l e A g e s Drama - 2 Morality Plays Main goal: to teach illiterate people the message of the Bible and – at the same time - to entertain. Characters: fixed vices or virtues (patience / temperence, greed, envy). The disputes arisen were within the dogma of the Christian Faith. They reflect the vision of a Medieval static world. EVERYMAN (symbolic of man in general) is called by Death and so he calls his friends for support (fellowship, wealth,beauty and Good Deeds) but none of them will keep him company except for Good Deeds

23. Medieval poetry The ballad • Mainly aimed at the uneducated, illiterate people . Simple language, short stanzas of two or four lines which rhymed. REFRAIN: repeated regularly, always the same to guarantee an emotional effect • Themes: • magic (fairies, whitches and ghosts) • outlaw (celebrated lives of criminals – Robin Hood cycle) • Border (rivalries between Scots and English people) • Who sang it? The balladeer or scop, He relied on a stock of phrases which he used to combine in new ways.

24. An evolving language During the Anglo Saxon period (700-1100) the language in literay works is known as OLD ENGLISH (mixture of the languages spoken by the Germanic tribes invading England). Difficult, full of inflections. During and after the Norman invasion the dominant language was French, especially among the highest ranks of society. During the period of the 100 years war French were fwlt as the language of the enemy and so English regained importance but now it was a new language in terms of vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation (contaminated by the foreign influences). This was betwee 1100-1400. MIDDLE ENGLISH. Around 1450 Middle English became MODERN ENGLISH

25. Geoffrey Chaucer 1340-1400 Most of his life was connected with Court Life and especially with its sophisticated society. He used to entertain Lords and ladies with stories. When 16 he was a royal , then he served as a soldier in the war with France during which he was taken prisoner. After that a ransom (riscatto) was paid by the king himself. He travelled abroad (Italy) where he got to know the works of Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio). From Boccaccio’s Decameron he got the idea for the ‘Canterbury Tales’

26. He was fat, with a modest personality, interested in religion but also earthly matters and human characters. He apologises for writing against the established religion He used the vernacular language (people’s) with the aim of making it s literary language (as Dante had already done)

27. The Canterbury tales

28. Distance from London: about 100 miles

30. Canterbury is St Thomas’s city. It’s known as the pilgrims’ city. In 597 A.D. St Augustine christianized the city and a cathedral was built. It soon became the religious centre of EnglandSoon consecrated Bishop, Augustine established his seat (or "cathedra") in this place as the first Archbishop of Canterbury. It lies in a valley so the cathedral is well visible from up the hills. It has developed over many centuries with many architectural styles (Romanesque in Norman times, Gothic style later - with the Bell Harry Tower)

31. St Thomas Becket Murdered on Dec 29th, 1170 in the Cathedral. He had been appointed Archbishop of C. by the King Henry II (they were close friends as they share the same views) However, after the appointment Thomas changed attitude and started to defend the power of the Church. Disagreement with Henry started and a s a consequence he had to emigrate to France. Once back he was welcomed by people. So Henry ordered some knights to kill him. Despite the monks’ advice, he left the cathedral open. He was murdered in the middle of a religious ceremony. He was made a saint by the Pope. Later the King repented his deeds and even became the first pilgrim. Under Henry VIII’s reign (Protestant) Becket’s shrine was destroyed and all the Saint’s jewels taken away.

32. Canterbury tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Originally it was a project of 120 tales told by pilgrims who meet by chance on their way to Canterbury, but it was never completed. (written around 1380).The best tale teller would be given a prize. Even if the pilgrims never reach Canterbury, Chaucer suggests everybody go there. ‘Pilgrims leaving Canterbury ‘ from ‘Troy Book and Story of Thebes’ by John Lydgate. (The British Library)

33. SOCIAL BACKGROUND • Dangerous unstable times • Three kings during Chaucer’s life (Edward II, Richard II (murdered) and Henry IV • A long continuing war with France • Disagreements between Pope and King • Black Death (Plague from Europe spread infection from ships. 1/3rd of the population died, villages destroyed)T • his was interpreted as God’s punishment by the Church who still had a strong power over people’s mind. The nightmare of Hell as everlasting fire was frightening.

34. THE CHURCH at Chaucer’s TIME The Church included bad men (Pardoner, Summoner) who took advantage of people’s ignorance and misused the money picked up for alms PILGRIMAGES • were easily and commonly organized to Canterbury to worship the shrine of St Thomas Becket, who was believed to to answer pilgrims’ prayers and help the sick. • Were seen as a kind of holiday • Were felt as genuine sacrifices supported by faith • Usually strted in the warm season • Each pilgrim tells a story (about love, jealousy, marriage, death, war, magic, murder etc Moral meaning –They end with the perfect marriage. If you are generous with one another you will contribute to build a perfect society.

35. The Prologue In the Prologue, which prefaces the collection of stories, the author introduces himself and pretends seeing a group of pilgrims who meet by chance at the Tabard Inn in London going to start a pilgrimage to Canterbury. He describes the most relevant characters to the reader, who mirror the typical human characters and values of the time. They come from all levels of society (military, clergy, the middle classes, the trades) and are extremely VITAL. Most of them are ill-mannered and interrupt each other. N.B. The extreme classes (aristocracy and poorest ranks are excluded). Their clothes and tools tell us of their character and social standing. Also their qualities and weaknesses are described.Chaucer does not judge but lets the reader draw conclusions (MODERN!!!) MAIN THEMES Love, marriage, corruption, hyposcrisy, chivalry.

36. The squire (accompagnatore, cavaliere di dama) Handsome, 20 years old, used to fight well in order to conquer his lady’s love. KNIGHT brave, courageous, generous, like all knights, he had fought to honour the values of chivalry and heroism. He was a true gentleman and was going to Canterbury to thank God for his victories.

37. The merry friar and the fat monk The good parson He was really poor and truly religious, he loved God and helped poor people. He visited the sick and he gave money and advice to the people in need. The merry friar loved pretty girls (libertine) silver and gold and drinking. The fat monk loved food and rich clothes

38. The prioress The rich merchant Head of a group of nuns, elegant, she spoke fine French and had good, refined manners. She had grey eyes, small soft lipsand a wid eforehead. She wore fashionable clothes such as a cloak, bracelets, beads and a golden brooch with an ‘A’ on it (Amor vincit omnia) He had a beard, wore rich clothes, rode a fat horse. He used to make a lot of money.

39. The wife of Bath She had alarge red face, wore a huge hat and fashionable modern clothes. She married five times, lived longer than her husbands and was an expert in love affairs. A sort of domineering wife. She liked to laugh and talk about love. Alwayas present at all pilgrimages.

40. The Summoner (il convocatore, colui che infligge punizioni) The Pardoner (elargitore di indulgenze) He used to summon and give punishmment to people who broke religious laws. This sounded frightening. He had a red face with pimples on it. A frightening look. He had long yellow hair. He forgave people who gave money to the Church in the name of God. He pretended having relics of Jesus and the holy Mary but actually he was a liar.

41. The miller (mugnaio) The franklin (land-owner, affrancato dalla terra) Rather, fat but strong,with a large nose with a wart on it. He played the bagpipes in order to be heard. He was astute He loved food and wine.He was simple and honest.

42. The cook The Reeve = a King’s agent amministratore della corona)

43. Geoffrey Chaucer 1340-1400 Most of his life was connected with Court Life and especially with its sophisticated society. He used to entertain Lords and ladies with stories. When 16 he was a royal , then he served as a soldier in the war with France during which he was taken prisoner. After that a ransom (riscatto) was paid by the king himself. He travelled abroad (Italy) where he got to know the works of Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio). From Petrarca’s Decameron he got the idea for the ‘Canterbury Tales’

44. He was fat, with a modest personality, interested in religion but also earthly matters and human characters. He apologises for writing against the established religion He used the vernacular language (people’s) with the aim of making it s literary language (as Dante had already done)