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The “REAL” MEDIEVAL TIMES: An Overview. Klein // E402. “How did it get started?”. 1066-1485 Began after the Norman (French) Invasion William the Conqueror takes the throne – 1 st Norman king of England Feudalism - code of reciprocal obligations (legal, military) French influence
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The “REAL” MEDIEVAL TIMES:An Overview Klein // E402
“How did it get started?” • 1066-1485 • Began after the Norman (French) Invasion • William the Conqueror takes the throne – 1st Norman king of England • Feudalism - code of reciprocal obligations (legal, military) • French influence - lord = noble who owned land; granted it to vassals - vassal = repaid lords with military service - fief = land • Eventually declined with growth of towns
Important Concepts • Chivalry – knightly code of virtues • Honor, generosity, bravery, respect toward women, help the weak, fairness to one’s enemies • Courtly love: knight pledges himself to a virtuous woman (often one who is married) – he performs brave deeds for her while she remains chaste/unattainable • Guilds – groupings of people engaging in a similar trade or skill • Meant to control the flow and price of goods • Rules for advancement from apprentice to “master”
“What about Medieval Literature?” • Started off written in Latin (clergy), then French (educated class) • English primarily spoken • Much was anonymously “written” – recycled stories • Miracle Plays – episodes from the lives of saints Morality Plays – main character is confronted with issues that prompt him to lead a godly life
“What about Medieval Literature?” • Romance – heroic prose/verse narrative detailing the hero’s adventure • Noble hero • Code of chivalry • Challenge & quest • Supernatural elements • Courtly love, damsel in distress • Villain • Pattern of 3s • Fairy tale-esque
“What about Medieval Literature?” • Arthurian legend (along with Geoffrey Chaucer & the Robin Hood legend) established English as a literary language • Sir Gawain & the Green Knight • Written in Chaucer’s time, around 1400 A.D. • Lost, then found and published in 1839 • Considered the best of English Medieval Romances (except for Chaucer) • Uses alliteration
“What else is happening during this time?” • The Crusades (11th – 13th Cent. A.D.) • Original goal to recapture Jerusalem from the Muslims • The Magna Carta (1215 A.D.) • Stemmed from disputes with King John over kings’ rights • Granted many rights to the common people and limited the power of the king • Established trial-by-jury and protection against unjust imprisonment (habeus corpus)
“What else is happening during this time?” • The Black Death (14th Cent. A.D.) aka “bubonic plague” • pandemic = epidemic across large region • 24 million died within 1st 5-year period • fever, aching joints, nausea, vomiting, headaches • most died within seven days