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MIDDLE AGES 1066-1485

MIDDLE AGES 1066-1485

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MIDDLE AGES 1066-1485

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  1. MIDDLE AGES 1066-1485 “Today’s sophisticates may with some scorn look down their noses at the Middle Ages as a period of ignorance and superstition. True, we can see medieval lack of knowledge and dependence upon unreliable authority. Yet people were quite able to construct a theological philosophical system that dealt with men and women’s place in the universe.” Mary Edith Thomas, ph.d., Medieval Skepticism and Chaucer

  2. I.BACKGROUND • Ties exist between royal court of England and the Duke of Normandy. • In 1002-King Aethelred of England marries Emma, daughter of Duke of Normandy. • Son: Edward the Confessor (rules 1042-1066) • Their court has a lot of French influence

  3. I.BACKGROUND • When Edward dies the throne is claimed by two • Choice of the Witan (Kings’ Council)—Harold Godwinson • William, Duke of Normandy—said Ed declared him as heir to the thrown (???)

  4. I. BACKGROUND • Harold Godwinson was crowned but….. 1. King Harold Hardrada the Ruthless of Norway and his Viking army --want the throne. • Killed Ruthless near York on 9/25/1066 • William lands in England on 9/28/1066 - William is the illegitimate son of previous Duke of Normandy - cousin of Edward the Confessor -comes w/ 4,700 man army -builds in Hastings

  5. I. BACKGROUND • King Harold is upset • Goes after William but Harold and his brothers are killed. • Things could have changed if….. • Norman Conquest • Period historically begins with the Norman Conquest. • “Norman French are superb soldiers, excellent administrators and lawyers, great borrowers and adopters, but lacked creativity and inventiveness” (Thomas).

  6. II. NORMAN ENGLAND • Conquest • Most A/S nobility killed off (no more thanes) • William claims all land • Redistributes land of 4/5,000 A/S to 180 Norman followers -similar to lord-thane relationship. -loyalty and military service = land Mix of culture and ideas -William is a ruthless and efficient ruler BUT wants to rule A/S -As a result we see a combination of ideas and laws

  7. II. NORMAN ENGLAND b. Feudalism

  8. II. Norman England b. Feudalism • Term invented by 17th century scholars • System of holding land on condition • Great noble or king owned the land and “rented” it for allegiance or military service. • Fief= unit of land granted for a specific purpose of supporting a fixed amount of military service • (MORE SERVICE = MORE LAND)

  9. NORMAN ENGLAND B. Feudalism con’t • Greatest power went to largest landowners (depended on # knights they could summon) • Feudalism depends on knights (mounted horsemen—French= chevaliers, German & British= knights) • Contract—lords (landowners) immune to interference of royal officials b/c Lords = “mini-rulers” • Collect taxes • Hold courts • Control knights • Add to royal court (become dukes and counts)

  10. II. NORMAN ENGLAND b. Feudalism con’t • Essentially a political system that helps restore law and order to the land after the war. • Becomes obsolete as the population grows See a development of the city classes in Chaucer

  11. II. NORMAN ENGLAND • Building under William the Conqueror • Tower of London • Canterbury Cathedral (St. Augustine) • Many castles (5-6000 by 1100)

  12. II. NORMAN ENGLAND • Taxation • 1086 survey of the land • Domesday Book (“doomsday”) • Records England’s land, owners, sizes, types of workers and value, etc (description of England) • Alleviates the problem of property disputes • Can’t escape it! • Purpose • discover changes in landholding since conquest • define sources of revenue—preparation to pay possible Danish invaders

  13. II. NORMAN ENGLAND • William the Conqueror dies 1087 • 2 sons reign • William II is the second son -First son, Robert, unstable, never rules - Will used church lands unlawfully and exploited people’s rights. -no heir, dies 1100 b. Henry I (1100-1135) -first monarch to issue a royal charter (Constitution) **made clear that violations made by royalty would stop. -reunites England and Normandy -est. efficient government (continues policies of his dad) -no male heir

  14. II. NORMAN ENGLAND 2. Queen Matilda (Henry’s daughter) a. Fight between Matilda and her cousin Stephen -Church supports Stephen b. Anarchy c. Both take “turns” on throne = 19 years -weakens the crown d. Disorder and violence **Knights are lawless, period of disorder and violence e. 1153 fight ends by agreement -Stephen dies -Matilda’s son takes throne = Henry II

  15. II. NORMAN ENGLAND • The Crusades 1. Wars to regain Holy Land from Muslims in the Middle East a. Christian zeal and an attempt by papacy to prove its pre-eminence b. sign of vitality and growing self-confidence c. part of a movement of expansion 2. First Crusade 1095 a. Pope Urban II—Council of Claremont (exaggerated threat to Eastern Christianity) and (later) capture Jerusalem b. in Palestine 3. Two other Crusades later 4. Holy grail

  16. II. NORMAN ENGLAND F. The Crusades Knight (Norman innovation) • Mounted warrior who became chief symbol of Code of Chivalry • Chivalry= etiquette, honor, world-view (honor BIG) • Chivalry combined w/fervor for Virgin Mary helped elevate status of women (larger roles in life and literature)

  17. II. NORMAN ENGLAND • Education & Lit under Normans • Higher ed. Began • Oxford and Cambridge • The History of the Kings of Britain • Geoffrey Monmouth (1136) • Legendary account of King Arthur

  18. III. England Under the Plantagents • Henry II (1154) 1. Stephen and Queen Matilda 2. 1164 Constitution of Clarendon -Feudal lords too powerful (b/c Steve) -Clergy too powerful -Raises an army to reestablish rule of monarchy 3. Henry reforms judicial system and improves laws -jury system -no more trial by ordeal

  19. III. England Under Plantagents • Henry II con’t 4. Brilliant administrator 5. Late reign---conflict with wife Eleanor and best friend Thomas Becket 6. Four sons: Henry, Geoffrey, Richard and John - mistrusted each other and resented his policy of dividing land among them. -John turns on him -Lion in Winter—excellent movie on the subject

  20. III. England Under Plantagents • Struggle between H II & Beckett • Issue-legal rights of the clergy • Struggle between church and govt. • Clerics couldn’t go to Rome or appeal to Pope w/o royal consent • Becket disagreed w/ HII

  21. III. England Under Plantagenet'sB. Struggle between H II & Beckett • Climax 12/30/1170—Becket killed by 4 knights of H II (apparently HII didn’t know about the plot) • Beckett made a martyr • Church excommunicates H II • fails in attempts to reconcile w/ church • he restore clerical rights

  22. III.England Under the Plantagents B. Richard the Lionheart (1189) 1. H II’s son 2. Kidnapped during third crusade 3. Brother John tries to steal the throne 4. Robin Hood—he returns 5. England is stable during this time thanks to Henry II’s preparations

  23. III. England Under the Plantagents C. John 1. succeeds throne in 1199 after R’s death 2. alienates Pope, clergy, nobles, and King of France 3. Taxes for personal use 4.MAGNA CARTER -forced to sign by nobles -limits king’s power -parliament -defines and safeguards nobles’ rights

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