Christianity and The Christianity and The Canterbury Tales in Medieval Canterbury Tales in Medieval

England England

British Events of the Early British Events of the Early Medieval PeriodMedieval Period

1066: Saxons defeated at Hastings by Normans1066: Saxons defeated at Hastings by Normans 1073: Canterbury becomes England’s religious 1073: Canterbury becomes England’s religious

centercenter 1170: Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, 1170: Thomas a Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury,

is murdered by King Henry II’s menis murdered by King Henry II’s men 1386: Chaucer begins writing 1386: Chaucer begins writing The Canterbury Tales The Canterbury Tales

Political Atmosphere in Political Atmosphere in Medieval EnglandMedieval England

Introduction of the French political and economic system Introduction of the French political and economic system of of feudalism feudalism as a result of the Norman invasionas a result of the Norman invasion King - center of governmentKing - center of government Lords/Overlords – landowners that owed military Lords/Overlords – landowners that owed military

service to the Kingservice to the King Barons/Vassals – sublet land from Lords Barons/Vassals – sublet land from Lords Knights – given smaller manors by barons in exchange Knights – given smaller manors by barons in exchange

for military service for military service Commoners or serfs - the lowest class of Medieval Commoners or serfs - the lowest class of Medieval

society provided the physical labor for the land in society provided the physical labor for the land in exchange for food and protectionexchange for food and protection

Geoffrey Chaucer’s Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales incorporates all incorporates all main levels of Medieval society – the Church, the Court, main levels of Medieval society – the Church, the Court, and the common peopleand the common people

Social Atmosphere in Medieval Social Atmosphere in Medieval EnglandEngland

ChivalryChivalry – code of knightly behavior – code of knightly behavior Three ideals:Three ideals:

GodGod KingKing LadyLady

A period of cultural refinement through the A period of cultural refinement through the discovery of luxuries from exotic landsdiscovery of luxuries from exotic lands

The founding of Oxford and Cambridge gave The founding of Oxford and Cambridge gave rise to a broadening of intellectual horizonsrise to a broadening of intellectual horizons

Life is centered around the castleLife is centered around the castle

Religious Atmosphere in Religious Atmosphere in Medieval EnglandMedieval England

During middle ages the church was the main focus During middle ages the church was the main focus of community life. of community life.

The Parish Priest was assigned by the manor and The Parish Priest was assigned by the manor and was obliged to keep up the church and provide was obliged to keep up the church and provide hospitality to travelers. hospitality to travelers.

The priest was a commoner by birth. Serfs were The priest was a commoner by birth. Serfs were not allowed to become priests because they were not allowed to become priests because they were tied to the land.tied to the land.

Parish Income Parish Income

The priest earned his living from the The priest earned his living from the income for parish lands, fees for services, income for parish lands, fees for services, and the tithe money. Tithing was and the tithe money. Tithing was obligatory and it was divided between the obligatory and it was divided between the priest, the church maintenance, the poor, priest, the church maintenance, the poor, and the bishop.and the bishop.

Peasants had little money so they paid Peasants had little money so they paid with what they produced; seeds, grain, etc.with what they produced; seeds, grain, etc.

The Church’s WealthThe Church’s Wealth

The church had great control over the The church had great control over the people. The peasants worked for free on people. The peasants worked for free on the church land. What the church collected the church land. What the church collected was kept in tithe barns where a lot of the was kept in tithe barns where a lot of the stored grain would be eaten by rats. stored grain would be eaten by rats.

If the peasants failed to tithe they were If the peasants failed to tithe they were told by the church that their souls would go told by the church that their souls would go to Hell.to Hell.

Church’s Wealth ContinuedChurch’s Wealth Continued

People had to pay People had to pay for baptisms, for baptisms, marriages and marriages and burials. This is one burials. This is one of the reasons why of the reasons why the church was so the church was so wealthy. wealthy.

This picture now a museum, was a tithe This picture now a museum, was a tithe barn in Kent.barn in Kent.

Monks’ Faults and Monks’ Faults and ContributionsContributions

In the 12In the 12thth and 13 and 13thth centuries there were many centuries there were many monasteries where monks or nuns lived a simple monasteries where monks or nuns lived a simple life of prayer and work. They were criticized for life of prayer and work. They were criticized for their laxity and involvement in worldly affairs. their laxity and involvement in worldly affairs.

Monks printed and preserved many books. Monks printed and preserved many books. They kept ancient literature sometimes at a great They kept ancient literature sometimes at a great

cost to themselves.cost to themselves.

How do the writings How do the writings of the Middle Ages of the Middle Ages represent the lives, represent the lives, loves, loyalties, and loves, loyalties, and humor of humanity?humor of humanity?

Discover the answer by Discover the answer by reading reading The Canterbury Tales.The Canterbury Tales.

1170: Murder of 1170: Murder of Thomas a BecketThomas a Becket

1073: Canterbury Cathedral becomes England’s religious center1073: Canterbury Cathedral becomes England’s religious center Henry II appointed his friend Thomas a Becket as Archbishop of Henry II appointed his friend Thomas a Becket as Archbishop of

CanterburyCanterbury Henry appointed Becket hoping that he would overlook some of Henry appointed Becket hoping that he would overlook some of

the King’s abuses of powerthe King’s abuses of power When Becket did not go along with the King, some of Henry’s When Becket did not go along with the King, some of Henry’s

more zealous knights murdered Becket in the cathedral at more zealous knights murdered Becket in the cathedral at CanterburyCanterbury

In order to atone for Becket’s murder, Henry made a pilgrimage, In order to atone for Becket’s murder, Henry made a pilgrimage, a holy journey, to Becket’s tomb at Canterbury a holy journey, to Becket’s tomb at Canterbury

Thereafter, a pilgrimage to Becket’s shrine at Canterbury Thereafter, a pilgrimage to Becket’s shrine at Canterbury became a common English means of showing religious devotionbecame a common English means of showing religious devotion

Geoffrey Chaucer, in Geoffrey Chaucer, in The Canterbury Tales, The Canterbury Tales, uses the vehicle of uses the vehicle of the pilgrimage to bring together people from the 3 main the pilgrimage to bring together people from the 3 main segments of Medieval society segments of Medieval society

Geoffrey ChaucerGeoffrey Chaucer 1343? - 1400 1343? - 1400

In his own lifetime he was considered the greatest In his own lifetime he was considered the greatest poet, and he is currently considered, by many, poet, and he is currently considered, by many, second only to Shakespeare in achievementssecond only to Shakespeare in achievements

He began as a page for one of King Edward III’s He began as a page for one of King Edward III’s households, served in the army and held key households, served in the army and held key government positions throughout his lifetimegovernment positions throughout his lifetime

He married a lady-in-waiting to the QueenHe married a lady-in-waiting to the Queen He began to write in his twenties and continued to He began to write in his twenties and continued to

do so for the rest of his lifedo so for the rest of his life He was the first person to be buried in what is now He was the first person to be buried in what is now

the Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbeythe Poet’s Corner of Westminster Abbey

The Canterbury Tales: The Canterbury Tales: FactsFacts Written in Middle English verseWritten in Middle English verse It is a It is a frame storyframe story – a story that includes, or frames, – a story that includes, or frames,

another story or stories another story or stories Chaucer’s frame is the pilgrimage, which he originally planned as a Chaucer’s frame is the pilgrimage, which he originally planned as a

round trip but remains incompleteround trip but remains incomplete Within this frame are 24 individual stories the pilgrims tellWithin this frame are 24 individual stories the pilgrims tell

It is a series of verse stories told by different pilgrims, It is a series of verse stories told by different pilgrims, from many walks of life, on their pilgrimage to St. from many walks of life, on their pilgrimage to St. Thomas a Becket’s shrine at Canterbury CathedralThomas a Becket’s shrine at Canterbury Cathedral

It is the most accurate depiction of the life and values It is the most accurate depiction of the life and values of people in Medieval 14of people in Medieval 14thth Century England Century England

ProloguePrologue

Represent a wide range of 14Represent a wide range of 14thth century English century English societysociety 3 Groups Represent:3 Groups Represent:

Agricultural feudalismAgricultural feudalism Landownership and serviceLandownership and service

Knight’s yeomanKnight’s yeoman FranklinFranklin

UrbanizationUrbanization Change in feudal structureChange in feudal structure

DoctorDoctor GuildsmenGuildsmen

The ChurchThe Church One of the most powerful elements in medieval soceityOne of the most powerful elements in medieval soceity

9 of pilgrims belong to clergy9 of pilgrims belong to clergy

ProloguePrologue

Each pilgrim Each pilgrim tell two stories on the way to Canterbury tell two stories on the way to Canterbury two stories on the way backtwo stories on the way back

Plan proposed by Harry Bailey, host of the Plan proposed by Harry Bailey, host of the Tabard InnTabard Inn

Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end Teller of best tale is rewarded at the end A dinner provided by his fellow pilgrims at A dinner provided by his fellow pilgrims at

the Tabardthe Tabard Harry Bailey is judge Harry Bailey is judge

ProloguePrologue

Prologue sets the scene and introduces Prologue sets the scene and introduces reader to the charactersreader to the characters

Between many of the tales Chaucer Between many of the tales Chaucer expounds upon the personalities of the expounds upon the personalities of the pilgrims.pilgrims. Number of arguments that prepare for Number of arguments that prepare for

subsequent talessubsequent tales Some pilgrims introduce a tale with a Some pilgrims introduce a tale with a

commentary on his/her own personal lifecommentary on his/her own personal life

ProloguePrologue

Chaucer’s project was never finishedChaucer’s project was never finished Only 24 tales existOnly 24 tales exist

Tales were probably composed at Tales were probably composed at various times in Chaucer’s lifevarious times in Chaucer’s life

ProloguePrologue

Begins with a long, rhetorical Begins with a long, rhetorical sentence in “high style” describing sentence in “high style” describing spring.spring.

Gradually descends into a more Gradually descends into a more “realistic” style of expository “realistic” style of expository narrative.narrative.

ProloguePrologue

Group is on its way to the holy shrine Group is on its way to the holy shrine of St. Thomas of St. Thomas ăă Becket Becket Archbishop of Canterbury Archbishop of Canterbury

opposed Henry II over the balance between opposed Henry II over the balance between royal and religious powerroyal and religious power

was murdered in the cathedralwas murdered in the cathedral Considered a martyr and later made a saintConsidered a martyr and later made a saint His blood was held to contain great curative His blood was held to contain great curative

qualities, restoring health to the sickqualities, restoring health to the sick

The Travelers to The Travelers to CanterburyCanterbury

Working Class

Plowman Reeve HostCook Miller

Haberdasher Dyer Carpenter Weaver Carpetmaker

The Travelers to The Travelers to CanterburyCanterbury

Professional Class

Military Religious Secular

Knight, Squire, Yeoman

Nun, 3 Priests, Friar, Parson,

Pardoner, SummonerCleric, Serjeant at Law, Merchant,

Skipper, Doctor

The Travelers to CanterburyThe Travelers to Canterbury

Upper Class

Wife of Bath Franklin

Chaucer’s Snapshot of the Chaucer’s Snapshot of the Middle Ages PopulationMiddle Ages Population

Satire in Satire in The Canterbury TalesThe Canterbury Tales

SatireSatire – writing that shows the folly or evil of – writing that shows the folly or evil of something through the use of wit and humor; a something through the use of wit and humor; a literary device employed to ridicule public or literary device employed to ridicule public or private abuses private abuses

Chaucer uses satire to ridicule the corruptness Chaucer uses satire to ridicule the corruptness of the Church in England in the Medieval Periodof the Church in England in the Medieval Period

The 5 Main Religious The 5 Main Religious Characters in Characters in The Canterbury The Canterbury

TalesTales PrioressPrioress - the nun ranking just below the - the nun ranking just below the

abbess in an abbeyabbess in an abbey During the Medieval Period, this position was During the Medieval Period, this position was

usually bought by women of the nobilityusually bought by women of the nobility MonkMonk – religious men that secluded – religious men that secluded

themselves from society to perform religious themselves from society to perform religious and intellectual dutiesand intellectual duties

FriarFriar – a part of the clergy that used to beg – a part of the clergy that used to beg for the poorfor the poor Most friars were corrupt and surrounded by Most friars were corrupt and surrounded by

scandal in the Middle Agesscandal in the Middle Ages PardonerPardoner – one who sells papal pardons – one who sells papal pardons

which were believed to take some time off of which were believed to take some time off of one’s stay in Purgatoryone’s stay in Purgatory There was an epidemic of illegitimate There was an epidemic of illegitimate

pardonerspardoners ParsonParson – a priest in a rural village – a priest in a rural village

Considered the bottom of the social ladder Considered the bottom of the social ladder

The PardonerThe Pardoner

Also strongly satirized for despicable Also strongly satirized for despicable behaviorbehavior

He is an illegitimate pardoner who gets He is an illegitimate pardoner who gets rich by selling fake religious relics and rich by selling fake religious relics and pardons to those wanting to atone for pardons to those wanting to atone for their sinstheir sins ““His wallet lay before him on his lap, Brimful of His wallet lay before him on his lap, Brimful of

pardons come from Rome all hot”pardons come from Rome all hot” Even Chaucer’s physical description of Even Chaucer’s physical description of

him is harshhim is harsh ““In driblets fell his locks … like rat-tails”In driblets fell his locks … like rat-tails”

He even sells fake relics to “poor up-He even sells fake relics to “poor up-country parsons” who are fellow country parsons” who are fellow clergymenclergymen

Works CitedWorks Cited

Babusci, Roger, ed., et al. Babusci, Roger, ed., et al. Prentice Hall Literature: The English Prentice Hall Literature: The English TraditionTradition. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989.. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989.

Chaucer, Geoffrey. “The Canterbury Tales.” Chaucer, Geoffrey. “The Canterbury Tales.” Prentice Hall Prentice Hall Literature: The English TraditionLiterature: The English Tradition. Ed. Roger Babusci, et al. . Ed. Roger Babusci, et al. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989.New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1989.

http://classroomclipart.comhttp://classroomclipart.com http://members.easyspace.com/Brig/mca/clips.htmlhttp://members.easyspace.com/Brig/mca/clips.html http://www.britainexpress.com/History/TheMedievalChurch.htmhttp://www.britainexpress.com/History/TheMedievalChurch.htm http://www.godecookery.com/cliparthttp://www.godecookery.com/clipart http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_church.htmhttp://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_church.htm http://www.thelmaslibrary.com/classical/overview.htmlhttp://www.thelmaslibrary.com/classical/overview.html Other pictures were sent via email from Miss Parmigiani.Other pictures were sent via email from Miss Parmigiani. Some material was obtained from notes taken in Dr. Patricia Some material was obtained from notes taken in Dr. Patricia

Michaels British Literature I class. Michaels British Literature I class.