The Medieval Period

1. The Medieval Period (1066-1485)

2. The Norman Conquest of England • In 1066, the English King, Edward the Confessor, died. • His cousin, Harold II, was crowned king. • 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. • 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. • They killed most of the English nobility. • 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. • English became a language of the lower class. • High-borns only spoke French.

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

7. Anglo-Norman Literature • Most literature written during this period of time was in French. • It tended to be practical and no-nonsense. • 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. • It replaced Anglo-Saxon verse almost overnight. • 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. • By the middle of the 13th 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. • All land and people belonged to the king. • 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.

11. The Organization of Medieval Society • 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 barely ate and suffered from disease. • 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. • Higher powers provided land and protection for lower powers. • Lower powers provided food and services for higher powers.

13. The Influence of the Church • The Catholic Church had tremendous wealth and power. • 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. • Political leaders and clergymen often quarreled. • 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: • Memento mori: reminder of death. • Contemptu mundi: contempt forthe 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. • Most famous example is The Canterbury Tales.

17. The Influence of the Church • From the 11th to 13thCenturies, the Churchsponsored a series of Crusades. • These Holy Wards were fought in hopes of recapturing Jerusalem fromthe Muslim people. • Christians from all over Europe fought, returning with Persian and Arabic literature. • 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. • We think of romances as love stories, but they are also adventure stories. • Deal with battles, crusades, tournaments, jousts, and love of knights. • 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. • The trial may take the form of a quest, or a journey to a far-off placeto 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. • Knights also frequently hadto 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 people • Some ballads recorded historical events. • 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’ lives • Mystery Plays: told stories of the Bible • Miracle Plays: told stories of the lives of saints • Morality 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. • Created legislative law in the form of Parliament. • 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.

24. Political Developments in the Medieval Period • 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. • 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. • A middle class of free merchants emerged. • 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.

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