Chaucers Canterbury Tales in Context The Context The

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales (in Context)

The Context: “The Calamitous 14 th Century” Population decline: Famine and hunger (High Middle Ages growth too hard to sustain) Bubonic Plague (began 1347) Economic hardship Trade and industry suffered economic shifts **actually benefitted agriculture Popular Uprisings Ex. English Peasants’ War (1381) Not desperately poor but those w/new advantages War—Hundred Years War 1337/47 -1453

100 Years War Characters English French Edward III = king at the beginning of the war—declares self King of France, though his claim is rejected Charles IV = his death causes succession conflict at war’s start John II = ransomed by English Richard II = short reign, king during stalemate/search for peace terms (Chaucer’s time), ultimately deposed Charles V = under whom France makes its first resurgence Charles VI = father of Catherine (later wife of Henry V) Henry V = king at Battle of Agincourt, marriage to Catherine (daughter of Charles VI) produces French heir Henry VI as part of Treaty of Troyes (1420) Charles VII = aka. “dauphin, ” alternative heir to French throne (as opposed to Henry VI)— supported by southern half of France and later Joan of Arc

The 100 Years War Roots of the War: England wants to retain land holdings in France (Gascony and Aquitaine, specifically) Edward III claims throne of France—more leverage than anything English king = French vassal England’s conflict w/Scotland = French

Quiz 1) True or False: The king of England was technically a vassal of the French king. 2) Which of the following English kings began the Hundred Years War? a) William I b) Edward III c) James I d) Henry V Correct answer: True Correct answer: b) Edward III

Early Period: 1337 -1360 (English Victories) Chevauchée tactics + manipulation of French nobility = weaken France 1346 Battle of Crécy—Calais won 1348 Battle of Poitiers = French defeat (King John II held for ransom) Peace of Bretigny = favorable to English Edward III lost claim to throne England gained money from

Chaos & Battles: 13691420 French make a comeback—regain lands lost from Treaty of Bretigny Eventual stalemate—domestic problems for both Political chaos in France (divided nobles) = English opportunity Battle of Agincourt (1415) Treaty of Troyes (1420): Henry V becomes king of France, marries Catherine—son = heir to French throne—not supported by all France

French Victory: 14281453 English try to enforce Treaty of Troyes Siege of Orleans (1428)—French garrison saved by intervention of Joan of Arc French peasant girl—”voices” told her to help dauphin Later taken by English, tried for heresy, burned Turned tide against English Afterwards, England progressively lost the rest of its landholdings

Details & Legacy Significance of longbow for English Greater range + speed of use Relatively small armies involved—mostly voluntary Results: Stronger national ID & govt. France = English-free Parliament gains influence = need for taxes

Quiz 1) True or False: France won the Hundred Years War because it won the vast majority of the battles. 2) Which of the following was not a result of the Hundred Years War? a) England lost all of its land holdings in France b) Parliamentary bodies became more powerful c) Each country strengthened its national identity d) Civil war in England Correct answer: False Correct answer: a)

Things to Look For… Depiction of a cross-section of medieval society Role of women Portrayal of the Church Connection between vernacular literature and the intended audience Structure of the poem and connections within

Chaucer’s Life Lived circa Consistently 1343 -1400 served as public Born to servant: newly Page emerging “middle Soldier* class” Esquire Father = wine merchant Diplomat* Wool Controller * = association with 100 Years War

Influence of Chaucer’s Political Career Various roles = exposure to diverse set of people/classes 1372 diplomatic mission to Italy = contact with Italian (Renaissance) writers Ex. Dante, Boccaccio Knew Latin (guess what he translated…), French, and Italian

Chaucer’s Memorial Lived on Westminster Abbey estate at end of life Memorial first in what is now known as “Poet’s Corner”

Chaucer’s Works Parliament of Fouls (1380) Troilus and Criseyde (1385) Legend of Good Women (date unknown) The Canterbury Tales (incomplete) Originally intended to be significantly longer 22 tales + 2 unfinished ones String of stories woven together (Boccaccio influence) **written in English vernacular**

The Canterbury Tales Details pilgrimage from London to the shrine of Thomas Beckett in Canterbury Diverse crowd gathers at inn to set off Challenged by innkeeper to storytelling contest Prize = free dinner upon return Stories told by each pilgrim often linked together Begins with General Prologue: sets the stage, introduces characters

The Pilgrims’ Journey

Quiz 1) True or False: Chaucer was born to noble parents and spent most of his life as a full time writer. 2) Why are the stories in The Canterbury Tales told? a. Chaucer’s memories of working in Canterbury b. Entertainment for pilgrims on their way to Canterbury c. Accounts of the Canterbury during the Plague Correct answer: False d. Letters from the Hundred Yearsb) War Correct answer: