THE MIDDLE AGES MEDIEVAL PERIOD 1066 1485 Talk

THE MIDDLE AGES (MEDIEVAL PERIOD) 1066 -1485 Talk with a partner about what you think the Medieval Period was like. How might it have been different from the Anglo-Saxon Period?

What happened to the Anglo. Saxons? William the Conqueror swoops in from Normandy, France and defeats the Anglo. Saxon King at the Battle of Hastings.

The Normans Change England French replaces English as language of the ruling class Land is divided among William’s followers from Normandy Feudalism is established.

Feudalism King Lords powerful landowners Vassals did work or military service for feudal lords in exchange for land Serfs/Peasants servants to lords and vassals; serfs were bound to manors, while peasants were not.

Social Classes Medieval Society depended on fixed social classes: nobility, knights, priests, merchants, and peasants. Villages built around castles were the fundamental center of Medieval Society. __________________ A family’s only hope for social mobility was to apprentice a son to a higher vocation or “marry up” a daughter to a member of a higher class.

Literature of the Times _____________________________________ Works written in English, such as ballads and romances, helped to define England’s identity _____________________________________ Scholarly works from monasteries and universities reflect society’s interest in moral instruction and morality plays

ROMANCE of li The romance became a new genre literature and was inspired by the deeds of chivalrous knights. Typical stories in this genre include a hero who goes on a journey or quest to defeat an evil enemy. ______________.

Courtly Love The Knight glorified the lady in words _______________________________ The Lady remained pure and out of reach ____________

Chivalry How would you define it? ? The code of chivalry was a code of conduct that knights had to follow. It included the following: Whom to defend (the knight’s lord, the king, and the Christian faith) ___________________ How to resist the urge to run away if captured ___________________ We’ll delve into this more deeply when we read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Geoffrey Chaucer Referred to as the father of English poetry ____________________________________________ Before Chaucer, no one thought English was sophisticated enough to convey the complexities of serious literature.

The Canterbury Tales Twenty- nine pilgrims are on their way to the shrine of St. Thomas a Becket in Canterbury. Setting: _______________________. This is where the pilgrims meet the night before the pilgrimage It is April. Canterbury London

Frame Story • a literary device that binds together several different narratives. It is a story that contains other stories. • In The Canterbury Tales, the main story is of the pilgrimage, which surrounds the individual stories told by each of the pilgrims or travelers. • ____________________________________________

The Prologue The prologue provides short but detailed descriptions about each of the travelers on the pilgrimage. Chaucer skillfully uses both _______ and ______ characterization to flesh out his pilgrims.

Turn to pg. 123. Let’s read about the Knight together. What do you suppose he will be like?

The Knight “a most distinguished man” “had followed chivalry” “Truth, honor, generousness” “ever honored for his noble graces” “fifteen mortal battles he had been” “modest as a maid” “ true, perfect gentle-knight” “was not gaily dressed/He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark/With smudges where his armor had left mark” What do these quotes reveal about the knight’s character? What do you suppose is Chaucer’s attitude toward the knight?

Clearly, Chaucer’s attitude toward the knight is one of respect. The Knight perfectly adheres to the duties ascribed to him by a Medieval society and follows the code of chivalry. Although he has won many battles, he also displays humility as is manifested by his “tunic stained and dark”. The Knight is a good example of how people should strive to conduct themselves. He serves as a model of perfection.

The Squire What’s the deal with this guy? Pg. 125

“a lover and a cadet” “locks as curly as if they had been pressed” “twenty years of age” “embroidered like a meadow bright/And full of freshest flowers, red and white. ” “Singing he was, or fluting all the day” “loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale/He slept as little as a nightingale. ” • Consider the descriptions of the Squire. How does this portrait differ from the Knight’s? • What is Chaucer’s attitude toward the Squire?

While the Squire embodies chivalrous ideals like his father, he seems more concerned with the ladies and lookin’ good. His hair is perfectly curled, and he dresses in flashy colors “like a meadow bright”. He also stays up “till dawn” hangin’ with the ladies. The Squire, unlike his father, appears to be a bit silly and frivolous, “fluting all the day. ” The Squire is clearly not the model of perfection that his father, the Knight, represents.