Background to the Background to the Middle Ages Middle Ages (1066-1485)(1066-1485)

The Norman InvasionThe Norman Invasion Duke William of Normandy defeated Duke William of Normandy defeated

King Harold of England during the King Harold of England during the Battle of Hastings in October, 1066.Battle of Hastings in October, 1066.

This defeat initiated the decline of This defeat initiated the decline of Anglo-Saxon culture and the Anglo-Saxon culture and the insurgence of Norman and European insurgence of Norman and European values into English life.values into English life.

The Norman invasion also The Norman invasion also brought feudalism into England. brought feudalism into England.

Feudal SystemFeudal System

The CrusadesThe Crusades

Christ Leading the Christ Leading the CrusadersCrusaders

The CrusadesThe Crusades(1095-1270)(1095-1270)

Tens of thousands of Europeans ventured Tens of thousands of Europeans ventured toward the Holy Land to “rescue” Jerusalem toward the Holy Land to “rescue” Jerusalem from the Muslims.from the Muslims.

These journeys brought Europeans into These journeys brought Europeans into contact with other cultures, including the contact with other cultures, including the higher civilizations of the Middle East. higher civilizations of the Middle East.

This contact with Eastern mathematics, This contact with Eastern mathematics, astronomy, science, architecture, and astronomy, science, architecture, and crafts made possible the rich and varied crafts made possible the rich and varied life which later developed life which later developed throughout Europe.throughout Europe.

Thomas À Becket Thomas À Becket Thomas was appointed to the position of Thomas was appointed to the position of

Archbishop of Canterbury under the reign of Archbishop of Canterbury under the reign of King Henry II. This made him the most powerful King Henry II. This made him the most powerful representative of the Roman Catholic Church in representative of the Roman Catholic Church in England.England.

Over time, the king became increasingly angry Over time, the king became increasingly angry with Thomas because he continually took the with Thomas because he continually took the Pope’s side in various disputes with the Church.Pope’s side in various disputes with the Church.

One day in a fit of rage, King Henry shouted, One day in a fit of rage, King Henry shouted, “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” “Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?” Taking his words literally, four of Henry’s knights Taking his words literally, four of Henry’s knights murdered Becket inside his own cathedral in murdered Becket inside his own cathedral in Canterbury.Canterbury.

Thomas À Becket (cont.)Thomas À Becket (cont.) The martyrdom of the Archbishop created a The martyrdom of the Archbishop created a

backlash against the English monarchy and backlash against the English monarchy and strengthened the power of the Roman strengthened the power of the Roman Catholic Church in England.Catholic Church in England.

With this increased power, the Church helped With this increased power, the Church helped foster cultural unity by creating a system of foster cultural unity by creating a system of beliefs and symbols that transcended the beliefs and symbols that transcended the national cultures of Europe. national cultures of Europe.

The Church continued to be the center of The Church continued to be the center of learning. Its monasteries were the libraries learning. Its monasteries were the libraries and book publishers of the day, and its and book publishers of the day, and its language (Latin) remained the international language (Latin) remained the international language of educated Europeans. language of educated Europeans.

The Church’s leader, the Pope, was king of all The Church’s leader, the Pope, was king of all kings—and his kingdom had no boundaries.kings—and his kingdom had no boundaries.

The Hundred Years War The Hundred Years War

From 1337-1453, the British and From 1337-1453, the British and French fought for control of French fought for control of northern France.northern France.

Although England ultimately lost the Although England ultimately lost the Hundred Years War, it helped foster Hundred Years War, it helped foster feelings of English nationalism.feelings of English nationalism.

Joan of Arc was martyred during Joan of Arc was martyred during this conflict.this conflict.

Joan of ArcJoan of Arc

The Magna CartaThe Magna Carta

The charter of English political and The charter of English political and civil liberties granted by King John civil liberties granted by King John at Runnymede in June 1215. at Runnymede in June 1215.

The Magna Carta helped restore The Magna Carta helped restore some of the older, democratic values some of the older, democratic values that were the hallmark of Anglo-that were the hallmark of Anglo-Saxon life. Saxon life.

This set the stage for the decline of This set the stage for the decline of feudalism. feudalism.

The “Black Death” The “Black Death” (1348-1349)(1348-1349)

The bubonic plague delivered another The bubonic plague delivered another death blow to feudalism by reducing the death blow to feudalism by reducing the population of England by one third.population of England by one third.

The plague caused labor shortages that The plague caused labor shortages that inevitably gave the lower classes more inevitably gave the lower classes more leverage against their overlords.leverage against their overlords.

Lower, middle, and upper-middle classes Lower, middle, and upper-middle classes began to emerge, which signaled the began to emerge, which signaled the beginning of the end of feudalism.beginning of the end of feudalism.

Plague-Ridden Extremities and Bubonic Plague

“Bubos”

This 14th-century miniature, taken from the Toggenburg Bible, illustrates victims of the bubonic plague or the “Black Death.” In Europe it is estimated to have killed 1/3rd of the population in 3 years.

The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales All levels of medieval society are represented in All levels of medieval society are represented in

this collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer.this collection of stories by Geoffrey Chaucer. The stories are written in Middle English, and The stories are written in Middle English, and

they provide a good “snap-shot” of medieval they provide a good “snap-shot” of medieval British culture.British culture.

The characters in the story are on a fifty-five The characters in the story are on a fifty-five mile journey from London to visit the shrine of mile journey from London to visit the shrine of Saint Thomas à Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.Saint Thomas à Becket at Canterbury Cathedral.

This journey serves as the story’s “framing This journey serves as the story’s “framing device.”device.”

To pass the time, each of the thirty pilgrims To pass the time, each of the thirty pilgrims agrees to tell two tales on the journey to the agrees to tell two tales on the journey to the shrine and two stories on the return trip.shrine and two stories on the return trip.

Geoffrey Chaucer Geoffrey Chaucer BackgroundBackgroundWith a partner, read the ‘Author Study’ on Geoffrey Chaucer on With a partner, read the ‘Author Study’ on Geoffrey Chaucer on

pg. 107 of your textbook. Then answer the following questions:pg. 107 of your textbook. Then answer the following questions:Explain Chaucer’s family background.Explain Chaucer’s family background.What sort of military background did Chaucer have?What sort of military background did Chaucer have?What was Chaucer’s “primary career” even above What was Chaucer’s “primary career” even above writing?writing?What cultures & works influenced Chaucer to become a What cultures & works influenced Chaucer to become a writer?writer?Identify the political positions that Chaucer had Identify the political positions that Chaucer had throughout his life.throughout his life.Where was Chaucer buried when he died? What is Where was Chaucer buried when he died? What is significant about that?significant about that?What is ironic about his own character in What is ironic about his own character in The The Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales??

The The Journey Journey

to to CanterbCanterb

uryury

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral

““Prologue” to Prologue” to The The Canterbury TalesCanterbury Tales

The “Prologue” provides a good snapshot The “Prologue” provides a good snapshot of all the major social classes in medieval of all the major social classes in medieval British society.British society.

As you read, identify each character, that As you read, identify each character, that character’s physical appearance, as well character’s physical appearance, as well as that character’s personality traits.as that character’s personality traits.

Since you will be able to use your Since you will be able to use your “Prologue” notes on future quizzes and “Prologue” notes on future quizzes and tests, it would be in your best interest to tests, it would be in your best interest to be as thorough as possible in your be as thorough as possible in your descriptions. descriptions.