Unit 2: The Medieval Period 1066-1485

1. Unit 2: The Medieval Period1066-1485

2. Unit 2: The Medieval Period • Historical Background • William the Conqueror invaded England from Normandy in 1066 launching a social, literary, and religious restructuring. • For nearly 150 years, the feudal system squelched the freedom of the Anglo-Saxon people making them slaves to the land while French nobles were given Anglo-Saxon land to use as they pleased . • The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, ensured the rights of the people from the oppression of power-hungry kings. • In the last two centuries, the Black Death killed nearly half the population of England allowing serfs to demand higher wages. • England was involved in the Hundred Years’ War with France from 1337 to 1453. • Shortly after losing the Hundred Years’ War, England found herself wrapped up in her own civil war, The War of the Roses. • Having been devastated by two wars, England had no other contenders for the throne leaving Henry VII to begin his Tudor dynasty in 1485.

3. Unit 2: The Medieval Period • The Church • The Roman Catholic Church permeated nearly every aspect of the medieval man’s life from birth to death through infant baptism, confirmation, required attendance and giving, confession, forced loyalty and obedience, and even his funeral rites. • William the Conqueror appointed the first archbishop of Canterbury, the highest church official in England. • The Roman Catholic Church held a tightly woven web of deceit, manipulation, and control around nearly every member of the community from slave to king. • From 1095 till 1291, the church called the people to a series of religious crusades to reclaim the Holy Land from the Muslims for Christendom. They used a works-based salvation to gain “volunteers” for their armies.

4. Unit 2: The Medieval Period • Language • With the coming of William of Normandy came many refinements and changes to English culture but also to her language. • Old English, spoken from 450 to 1150, was primarily a blend of the Germanic language of the Anglo-Saxons and the tribal language of the Celts. • However Middle English, spoken from 1150 to 1500, was given a new flavor from the Norman Invasion and over time intermarried the three working languages of England. • The language of the aristocracy was French; consequently, most written works were in French. • The language of the common man was Old English and was only spoken. • The language of the church was Latin encompassing the sacred texts and church services. • Middle English began to develop into one of the most flexible languages in the world.

5. Unit 2: The Medieval Period • Literature • The literature of the Medieval Period that was not found in liturgy was written primarily for the French nobles who enjoyed elegance, refinement, wit, and chivalry in contrast to the rugged Anglo-Saxon epic tales of conquests. • While oral poetry remained a staple in the courts and homes of the people, many new literary genres were born including the romance, lyric, and drama. • With the development of William Caxton’s printing press in England, literature no longer relied upon monks’ transcriptions and made the written word much more accessible to both writers and readers.