The Middle Ages or Medieval Period

1. The Middle Ages or Medieval Period c. 1066-1485

2. The Beginning • Battle of Hastings in 1066 • Duke William of Normandy (France) defeated the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold. • William wanted to rule rather than destroy. • Anglo-Saxon property was divided among William’s followers • First tax system created

3. Bilingual England • After the Battle of Hastings, French became the official language of government, law, education, and upper-class life. • Middle English continued to be spoken by the lower and middle classes. • For about three hundred years, England was a bilingual country.

4. The Feudal System • The king owned all of the land. • ~ 25% of land was granted to the church • ~55% of the land was granted to the nobles • The nobles and the church would grant land to lower-ranking freemen who would promise knights when needed • Peasants would work the land and provide food and pay taxes

5. The Church • Roman Catholic Church • Preached a common set of beliefs and values • The Church had its own taxes, laws, and land • Could strongly influence the king • The Church would accept gifts and money in return for guaranteeing a person a place in heaven or favors. • Opposing the church resulted in excommunication = going to hell.

6. The Crusades 1095-1291 • Holy wars= Christians vs. Saracens (Muslims) • The purpose was to rescue holy places (primarily Jerusalem) from the Muslims • Crusaders received indulgences (forgiveness) for past sins. • Total of 9 crusades: the first 5 had the blessing of the reigning Popes.

7. Chivalry and Courtly Love • Was a system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights • Stressed honor, courage, and courtesy • “Moved” the rough medieval knight from the status of warrior to that of gentleman. • Created by the Church to set rules for the “game” of war.

8. Courtly Love • Courtly love was, in its ideal form, nonsexual. • Brought about an idealized attitude toward women • Did little to improve their actual position. • A noble or upper-class woman’s value remained tied to the value of the lands she brought to a marriage. • Most marriages were arranged • Women were still dominated by the male members of their family.

9. Medieval Romance • Gallant love, chivalry, and heroism were portrayed in the King Arthur stories • English writer, Sir Thomas Malory, later re-told the French versions of the stories in Middle English • Le Morte d’Arthur • The book was printed just weeks before the last real battle with knights

10. Vernacular and Secular Literature • Secular: non-religious literature (chronicles and miracle plays) • Vernacular: Literature written in the common language • Middle English

11. The Black Death • The Black Death, or bubonic plague, struck England in 1348 and continued to reappear. • Highly contagious and spread by fleas from infected rats, • Reduced the nation’s population by up to 1/2. • The Black Death caused a labor shortage, leading to the serf’s freedom, women in the work-force and an end of feudalism.

12. The Hundred Years’ War1337-1453 • Joan of Arc: 16 year old girl who fought on the side of France with several victories. Claimed visions from God. • The war resulted in new weaponry and war tactics • Two English kings (Edward III and Henry V) claimed to be the heirs to the throne of France

13. A New England • The English lost the Hundred Years’ War with France • By the war’s end the yeoman (small landowners) had replaced the knights in armor. • With this emergence of the yeoman class, modern, democratic England was born.

14. Language and Literature • English became the primary language (late 1300’s) • The Hundred Years’ War created a feeling of patriotism • The majority of people spoke English • Geoffrey Chaucer – • father of English literature • Wrote Canterbury Tales • William Caxton • brought the printing press to England • This helped spread English.

15. Focus Question 1 • What were some of the effects of the Battle of Hastings on the Anglo-Saxons? • Lost their property • First tax system was created • French became the language of government, education, and the upper-class • French intermingled with the vernacular • England was bilingual for 300 years • Women were subjugated by men

16. Focus Question 2 • Describe the Church in the Middle Ages and the role that it fulfilled. • Roman Catholic • Sanctioned the first 4 crusades • Owned a large amount of land and property • Imposed its own taxes and fees • Had a strong influence over the king • The Church was very corrupt: gave indulgences or forgiveness in return for money, gifts or favors

17. Focus Question 3 • What was the role or position of upper-class women in society? • Seen as property to be married off to form alliances • Her value was based off of the lands she brought to the marriage • Must remain pure and chaste • Women were under the control of their fathers and then their husbands • Received little to no academic education

18. Focus Question 4 • During the Middle Ages, what were some events that had a great impact on England? • The Black Death or Bubonic Plague • The introduction of the printing press • The Battle of Hastings • The Crusades • The Hundred Years War • English becoming the official language • The end to feudalism

19. Focus Question 5 • Describe the different types and genres of literature as well as the important authors of the Middle Ages. • Secular: chronicles and miracle plays • Vernacular literature: Ballads and folk epics • Medieval Romances • Sir Thomas Mallory – Le Morte D’Arthur • Geoffrey Chaucer – Canterbury Tales