Middle Ages 1066 1485 From democracy to feudalism

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Middle Ages 1066 -1485 From democracy to feudalism: The world of Geoffrey Chaucer

Middle Ages 1066 -1485 From democracy to feudalism: The world of Geoffrey Chaucer

Governmental change Ø 1066 - William the Conqueror arrived from Normandy and defeated the

Governmental change Ø 1066 - William the Conqueror arrived from Normandy and defeated the Anglo-Saxon armies of King Harold. William was an efficient and ruthless soldier who took control of the land with an iron fist. He established the feudal system where everything belonged to, and revolved around, the King.

The Hierarchy Concept ô William’s positions of power. Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø King

The Hierarchy Concept ô William’s positions of power. Ø Ø Ø Ø Ø King Prince Duke Marques Earl/Count Viscount Baronet Knight/Lady Lord/Lady

Feudal pyramid Ø Since William, as king, was highest on the hierarchy everything belonged

Feudal pyramid Ø Since William, as king, was highest on the hierarchy everything belonged to him and he rewarded his loyal followers with land. William Duke Earl Ø Duke Earl In return for the land grants and monies Baron received from the land, the followers would then repay William in funds and men for the Knight Knight army. Peasants- owned no land had to pay rent to farm.

The changing face of feudalism Ø Closer to the end of the middle ages,

The changing face of feudalism Ø Closer to the end of the middle ages, during Chaucer’s life time, there was an emergence of a class system, sort of: l l l Nobility- ( feudal system) anyone who had a connection to land or property, Clergy/clerical- who worked with the church and religious laws, Lay person- merchants, peasants, and people who worked for a living. • Chaucer wrote his famous Prologue to the Canterbury Tales with these social divisions in mind.

Geoffrey Chaucer 1343 -1400 Father of English Poetry Ø History l l Spoke Middle

Geoffrey Chaucer 1343 -1400 Father of English Poetry Ø History l l Spoke Middle English Served under the graces of three kings. • Edward III, Richard II, and Henry IV. l Born to the merchant class • Father was a wine merchant l Held several jobs • Court page, justice of the peace, ambassador, parliamentarian, writer, lawyer, King’s forester.

The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales Written around 1387. Ø Chaucer died before it

The Prologue to the Canterbury Tales Written around 1387. Ø Chaucer died before it was complete. Ø Revolved around the holy pilgrimages taken by penitent travelers going to the Shrine of Canterbury. Ø l l The shrine is in Canterbury Cathedral where a bishop, Thomas a Beckett, was assassinated by knights of the king. The 28 pilgrims were to tell a total of 4 stories each on the way to and back from the shrine. (It would have totaled 112 stories but since Chaucer died before completing the tales only a little over half had been written. ) • All of the pilgrims with the exception of 3 suffer from one or more of the seven deadly sins.

Class level expectations and behaviors. Ø Nobility (The wealthy and land owners)- were supposed

Class level expectations and behaviors. Ø Nobility (The wealthy and land owners)- were supposed to represent all things noble and good. l Were to follow the code of chivalry • Honesty, kindness, protection, truthful, loyal, etc. Ø Clergy/clerical (All religious orders-Monks, Friars, Priests, etc)-were supposed to represent the religious ideologies. l Were to follow the ideals of Christ • Humble, penitent, honest, render care to and for others, vow of poverty, celibate. Ø Merchant (Inn keepers, Craftsmen, Peasants, etc. )-were supposed to represent the hard-working, humble, defacing service providers: generally to the nobles. l Were to provide goods and services to the wealthy. • Humble, complacent, never take on manners that put them above their social station (which was the lowest of the three).

Things you need to know Ø Ø Ø Ø French was spoken only at

Things you need to know Ø Ø Ø Ø French was spoken only at court by the nobility. Clothes were made by hand cost a fortune. It could take hours to do hair styles for one day. Peacocks were considered to be a bird of vanity/pride. Only the wealthy and nobility had leisure time to play, hunt, or just sit around. Religious figures were to be chaste and take a vow of poverty. Books were copied letter by letter, word by word, by hand using goose quill pens and hand made inks. As a result were very rare making them priceless.

Characteristics you need to know Ø Ø Ø Gaping teeth-sensuality. Ram-like appearance-strength. Sow like

Characteristics you need to know Ø Ø Ø Gaping teeth-sensuality. Ram-like appearance-strength. Sow like appearance-dirtiness. Fox like appearance-slyness. Goat like appearance-lechery. Rat like- death and decay. Thin fastidious type-bad temper, irritability. Flaring or open nostrils-passion. Puss filled sores-lechery and drunkenness. High forehead- intelligence, breeding. White neck- looseness or immorality.

The Seven Deadly Sins Greed Ø Lust Ø Envy Ø Pride Ø Sloth Ø

The Seven Deadly Sins Greed Ø Lust Ø Envy Ø Pride Ø Sloth Ø Gluttony Ø Wrath Ø l All but three characters in The Canterbury Tales have one or more sin.

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