Medieval Europe c 1066 1485 The Beginning Battle

Medieval Europe c. 1066 -1485

The Beginning • Battle of Hastings in 1066 • Duke William of Normandy (France) defeated the last Anglo. Saxon king, Harold. • William wanted to rule rather than destroy. • Anglo-Saxon property was divided among William’s followers • First tax system created

Bilingual England • After the Battle of Hastings, French became the official language of government, law, education, and upper-class life. • Middle English continued to be spoken by the lower and middle classes. • For about three hundred years, England was a bilingual country.

The Feudal System • The king owned all of the land. • ~ 25% of land was granted to the church • ~55% of the land was granted to the nobles • The nobles and the church would grant land to lower-ranking freemen who would promise knights when needed • Peasants would work the land provide food and pay taxes

The Church • Roman Catholic Church • Preached a common set of beliefs and values • The Church had its own taxes, laws, and land • Could strongly influence the king • The Church would accept gifts and money in return for guaranteeing a person a place in heaven or favors. • Opposing the church resulted in excommunication = going to hell.

The Crusades 1095 -1291 • Holy wars= Christians vs. Saracens (Muslims) • The purpose was to rescue holy places (primarily Jerusalem) from the Muslims • Crusaders received indulgences (forgiveness) for past sins. • Total of 9 crusades: the first 5 had the blessing of the reigning Popes.

Chivalry and Courtly Love • Was a system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights • Stressed honor, courage, and courtesy • “Moved” the rough medieval knight from the status of warrior to that of gentleman. • Created by the Church to set rules for the “game” of war.

Courtly Love • • Courtly love was, in its ideal form, nonsexual. Brought about an idealized attitude toward women Did little to improve their actual position. A noble or upper-class woman’s value remained tied to the value of the lands she brought to a marriage. – Most marriages were arranged – Women were still dominated by the male members of their family.

Medieval Romance • Gallant love, chivalry, and heroism were portrayed in the King Arthur stories • English writer, Sir Thomas Malory, later re-told the French versions of the stories in Middle English – Le Morte d’Arthur – The book was printed just weeks before the last real battle with knights

Vernacular and Secular Literature • Secular: non-religious literature (chronicles and miracle plays) • Vernacular: Literature written in the common language – Middle English

The Black Death • The Black Death, or bubonic plague, struck England in 1348 and continued to reappear. • Highly contagious and spread by fleas from infected rats, • Reduced the nation’s population by up to 1/2. • The Black Death caused a labor shortage, leading to the serf’s freedom, women in the work-force and an end of feudalism.

The Hundred Years’ War 1337 -1453 • Two English kings (Edward III and Henry V) claimed to be the heirs to the throne of France • Joan of Arc: 16 year old girl who fought on the side of France with several victories. Claimed visions from God. • The war resulted in new weaponry and war tactics

A New England • The English lost the Hundred Years’ War with France • By the war’s end the yeoman (small landowners) had replaced the knights in armor. • With this emergence of the yeoman class, modern, democratic England was born.

Language and Literature • English became the primary language (late 1300’s) – The Hundred Years’ War created a feeling of patriotism – The majority of people spoke English • Geoffrey Chaucer – – father of English literature – Wrote Canterbury Tales • William Caxton – brought the printing press to England – This helped spread English.

Focus Question 1 • What were some of the effects of the Battle of Hastings on the Anglo-Saxons? – Lost their property – First tax system was created – French became the language of government, education, and the upperclass – French intermingled with the vernacular – England was bilingual for 300 years – Women were subjugated by men

Focus Question 2 • Describe the Church in the Middle Ages and the role that it fulfilled. – – – Roman Catholic Sanctioned the first 4 crusades Owned a large amount of land property Imposed its own taxes and fees Had a strong influence over the king The Church was very corrupt: gave indulgences or forgiveness in return for money, gifts or favors

Focus Question 3 • What was the role or position of upper-class women in society? – – Seen as property to be married off to form alliances Her value was based off of the lands she brought to the marriage Must remain pure and chaste Women were under the control of their fathers and then their husbands – Received little to no academic education

Focus Question 4 • During the Middle Ages, what were some events that had a great impact on England? – – – – The Black Death or Bubonic Plague The introduction of the printing press The Battle of Hastings The Crusades The Hundred Years War English becoming the official language The end to feudalism

Focus Question 5 • Describe the different types and genres of literature as well as the important authors of the Middle Ages. – – – Secular: chronicles and miracle plays Vernacular literature: Ballads and folk epics Medieval Romances Sir Thomas Mallory – Le Morte D’Arthur Geoffrey Chaucer – Canterbury Tales