The Medieval Period

1. The Medieval Period Historical Context

2. The Monarchy • William the Conqueror is the reigning monarch • Brings order to the land and organizes the kingdom of Britain • Institutes taxes and tax records • In 1154, Henry II ascends the throne • Establishes a judicial system and the common law practices of England • Richard I, known as Richard the Lion-Hearted, fought wars abroad and left his brother, John, in charge • The villain in the legends of Robin Hood • Because of John’s high taxes and the threat of rebellion, he was forced to sign the Magna Carta, limiting royal authority

3. War and Plague • Toward the end of the medieval period, war and death were common • The Hundred Years’ War with France and the Black Plague decimated England’s population • At the end of the War, the throne was divided among two houses, those of York and Lancaster • The War of the Roses ensues • In 1485, Henry Tudor killed Richard III and takes the throne as Henry VIII

4. The Social Forces • The Feudal System was established during the reign of William the Conqueror • This established the hierarchy of Kings, barons, knights, and serfs • The land was divided up: • ¼ to the king • ¼ to the church • The remaining land parceled to the barons • The church was outside the jurisdiction of the king because they were led by the pope • They had their own laws, courts and taxes

5. The Social Forces • The Church wielded power over the monarchy with the threat of excommunication • They built beautiful cathedrals and abbeys, one of the most well-known being Canterbury • Chivalry was a code of honor intended to govern knightly behavior • Adopted from the French courts • Knights were encouraged to be generous, brave, honest, pious, and honorable • Chivalry influenced the stories of King Arthur

6. The Social Forces • The relationships between men and women were a part of chivalry known as courtly love • Dictated how men and women should act toward one another, propriety • Ideals at best, not always reflected in daily life