Medieval Times/Middle Ages

A Background for Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales

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**Medieval Period – 1100-1500 AD

William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy (France), claimed English throne.

1066 – Battle of HastingsWilliam won against Harold

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Medieval Period – 1100-1500 AD

**Domesday Book (1086) – 1st land survey

SERFS – Servants to Norman Lords Owed… obedience, work, taxes

Three languages French – ruling class Latin – Catholic Church and law Anglo-Saxon (Middle English) – common people and

old nobility

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Medieval Life

**Catholic Church was central to lifeBells announced work, meals, rest, massCommunity life and meetings, refuge Inspired, sponsored artistic achievement and

academics Divine Comedy (1321) by Dante Universities and manuscripts

Gothic cathedrals were architectural marvels Like heaven on earth Notre Dame

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**Medieval Literature Oral tradition Shared songs and stories Topics included:

Sermons and lives of saintsBallads and carols

Sir Thomas MaloryThe Death of Arthur and Camelot

William Caxton invents movable printing press.

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**Medieval Corruption Selling of indulgences

Letter from the Pope Reduced or canceled time in hell, purgatory

Selling of religious office Richest bidder got religious office Uneducated, illiterate, immoral clergy

John Wycliffe – anti-corruption crusader Kings should rule country and church in state Translates Bible from Latin to English Sows seeds of Protestant Reformation in 16th Century

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**The Four Humors Humors – bodily fluids tied to the four

elements. Excess of one produced physical, mental

characteristics. Example: ruddy complexion and self-

confidence suggested an excess of blood. Sanguine – “of the color of blood” – still used

today, describes a cheerfully optimistic person.

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The Four HumorsHumor Element Physical

QualityTemper Related

Adj.

Yellow bile Fire Hot, dry Angry, stubborn

Choleric

Black bile Earth Cold, dry Thoughtful, gloomy

Melancholic

Blood Air Hot, moist Courageous& hopeful

Sanguine

Phlegm Water Cold, moist

Dull, plodding

Phlegmatic

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**Geoffrey Chaucer ~1343-1400

Son of wealthy merchant Page to Countess of Ulster at 13 yrs Well-educated and well-travelled

Versed in English, French, Latin, Italian 1360: Taken prisoner in France

Ransomed by Edward III Placed in Edward III’s personal service

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Geoffrey Chaucer

1372: King’s business in ItalyMet, read famous Italian writers and works

1374 & 1382: Works as customs controller

1386: Member of parliament

Various royal appointments by Richard II

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**The Canterbury Tales Series of narrative poems about everyday

people in Medieval England A true cross section of the all ranges of society

(not royalty) post-Black PlagueDetailed, lifelike portrayalWritten as people talked and lived back then

First major English work Grounded in history, mythology, science,

psychology, theology, and business11

**Groups of People in 14th Century England

Feudal System – Knight, Squire, Yeoman, Franklin, Plowman, Miller, Reeve

Religious People – Prioress, Monk, Friar, Cleric, Parson, Summoner, Pardoner

Middle Class – Merchant, Sergeant at the Law, Tradesman, Cook, Skipper, Doctor, Wife of Bath, Manciple, Host

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**Major Changes in Society Social Changes

Loss of feudal centrality of powerBlack Death Rising middle classWidening trade opportunities – new jobs

Religious ChangesLoss of influence – Pope Clement V’s move of

Papacy to FranceRise in educated populace, loss of intellectual

powerMove towards stories reflecting “real” life

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The Canterbury Tales

WHEN? Early spring

WHAT? Pilgrimage to the shrine of St. Thomas à Becket, archbishop and martyr

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**The Canterbury Tales WHERE? From Southwark (London) at Tabard

Inn to Canterbury, 55 miles on horseback

WHO? 30 pilgrims & host Harry Bailly

WHY? To pass the time, each traveler tells 2 stories on the way there and 2 on the way back. At stake, a free meal for the best story.

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**Middle English

English post-Norman conquest (1066) Combines Anglo-Saxon words with French

and Latin Lost complicated A-S word endings No silent “e” – used as its own syllable Unusual writing choice – most texts in

French and Latin, read by intellectual royals – suggests written for “the people”

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**The Prologue – Lines 1-18In Middle English

Whan that aprill with his shoures soote

The droghte of march hath perced to the roote,

And bathed every veyne in swich licour

Of which vertu engendred is the flour;

In Modern English

When fair April with his showers sweet,

Has pierced the drought of March to the root's feet

And bathed each vein in liquid of such power,

Its strength creates the newly springing flower;

Listen to Middle English

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ey Terms

Pilgrim – Traveler (for religious purposes) Prologue – Introduction or preface Illumination – Decorated letter with

pictures or designs (lights up a page) Physiognomy – Pseudo-science which

believes that physical features accurately tell a personality.

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