The Middle Ages

1. The Middle Ages

2. 1066 - Duke William of Normandy invades England killing the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings.

3. Normans brought: • Administrative ability • Emphasis on law and order • And cultural unity to the Anglo-Saxons’ more democratic and artistic tendencies

4. Domesday Book • Inventory of every piece of property in England • Created by William I • First time in European history that people could be taxed based on what they owned It was written by an observer of the survey that "there was no single hide nor a yard of land, nor indeed one ox nor one cow nor one pig which was left out".

5. The Norman Conquest helped to bring England into the mainstream of European civilization.

6. Feudalism • Caste, property and military pyramid system based on a religious concept of hierarchy God Royalty Nobility – barons, dukes, earls, etc. Knights Clergy Serfs

9. Vassal • Feudal tenant • Subject or retainer Primary duty of males above a serf was military service to their lords.

10. Since feudalism was a military system… • Women could not be warriors so they had no political rights • Women were always subservient to a man whether it be a husband, father or brother • A woman’s social standing depended completely on her husband or father

11. Chivalry • Brought about by feudalism • A system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights and gentlewomen

12. Chivalry Codes • Adhering to one’s oath of loyalty to the overlord • Observing rules of warfare • Adoring a particular lady was a means of self-improvement

13. Chivalry Codes The Ten Commandments of the Code of Chivalry From Chivalry by Leon Gautier • Thou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. • Thou shalt defend the Church. • Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. • Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born. • Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. • Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. • Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. • Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. • Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. • Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

14. Live to serve King and Country. Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear. Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor. Live for freedom, justice and all that is good. Never attack an unarmed foe. Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack. Never attack from behind. Avoid lying to your fellow man. Avoid cheating. Avoid torture. Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry. Administer justice. Protect the innocent. Exhibit self control. Show respect to authority. Respect women. Exhibit Courage in word and deed. Defend the weak and innocent. Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms. Crush the monsters that steal our land and rob our people. Fight with honor. Avenge the wronged. Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause. Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry. Die with valor. Always keep one's word of honor. Always maintain one's principles. Never betray a confidence or comrade. Avoid deception. Respect life and freedom. Die with honor. Exhibit manners. Be polite and attentive. Be respectful of host, women, and honor. Loyalty to country, King, honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry. Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee. The Code of ChivalryFrom the Rifts: England Supplement

15. Courtly Love • Nonsexual • Supposed to make a knight braver and better by revering and acting in the name of a lady • Example= wearing a lady’s colors in battle

16. Courtly Love Gone Wrong… • Sir Lancelot and Guinevere

17. Cities • Brought about new classes – lower, middle and upper-middle • People were free, not tied to the land or knighthood • Led to “people’s art” – ballads, mystery and miracle plays • Led to cathedrals and municipal buildings

18. Crusades • Series of wars by European Christians against Muslims with Jerusalem and the Holy Land as the prize • Exposed English people to Eastern math, astronomy, architecture and crafts

20. Thomas a Becket • Murdered in his own cathedral by King Henry’s knights • Led to a backlash against the king • The king lost all power in the Roman Church • State became powerless to correct widespread corruption

21. Medieval Church • Fostered cultural unity • Continued as a center of learning

23. Magna Carta (The Great Charter) 1215 • English barons forced King John to sign to curb the church’s power • Became the basis for English constitutional law

24. Hundred Years War (1337 – 1453) • First national war between England and France • England lost to France • The English began to think of themselves as British instead of Anglo-Norman

25. Yeoman • Small landowner • Gave birth to modern democratic England

26. Black Death1348 - 1349 • Bubonic plague spread by fleas from infected rats • Killed 1/3 of the population • Caused labor shortage • Gave lower class more leverage • Led to the end of feudalism