Medieval Period

1. Medieval Period Also known as the Middle Ages or Dark Ages 1066-1300 (approximately)

2. The Norman Conquest

3. Norman Conquest • The Norman Conquest: Battle of Hastings in 1066. • William the Conqueror defeated King Harold (the last Anglo-Saxon king) • Harold Godwinson (King Harold), brother-in-law of Edward the Confessor. • King Harold took the throne when childless Edward dies in 1066. • William (son of Duke of Normandy) claimed Edward (a relative) had promised him the throne.

4. Norman Conquest (continued) • William established government over the Anglo-Saxons. • Combined Anglo-Saxon and French Norman characteristics. • Did not eliminate Anglo-Saxons. • Gave English lands to his French followers. • Created bonds combining England with French Normandy. • Norman followers also owned lands in England. • Brought French language and culture, with chivalry, into Britain.

5. Norman Conquest (continued) • Normans changed system of government. • Emphasized law and order – built Tower of London. • Emphasized administration and compiled inventory of all property. • Domesday Book (title based on final judgment of man). • Taxation based on ownership of property.

6. Feudalism and Knighthood

7. Feudalism and Knighthood • Feudalism was a caste based on religious hierarchy. • God was supreme overlord. • King ruled under God – ruled by “divine right”. • King appointed barons to rule portions of the land. • Knights served these lords and defended them. • Trained as warriors from an early age. • After training were dubbed knights and called “Sir.” • Lived by strict code of behavior and loyalty to overlord. • Serfs worked the lands of the lords.

10. Medieval Life • Villages had a lord or king who dominated the land • Castles were created as a protection to a village or town • Peasants lived outside the castle and worked the land for the lord while the nobles lived in the castle • The castle would have held the lord or king and his family, a constable to watch over the castle when the king was gone and his family, cooks, watchmen, garrisons, jesters, tumblers, troubadours, etc. • Most activity revolved around the Great Hall • Castles were often attacked by enemies

11. Medieval Life • The church was mostly in charge of life • Science and civilization progressed slowly • Art and literature were on the decline • Society was created under a feudal system • The Plague or Black Death was rampant • Famine was a major concern • Superstition was an important part of society (illness was an impurity of the soul or a curse from God) • Law and Order was difficult (law/order site) • Hygiene was not a major concern • Very little education took place

12. The Coat of Arms • Originated in the middle ages • Used by medieval knights to make their armour and shield easily recognizable, by friend, foe, and spectator, in battle and in tournament • Usually a crest sitting atop a helmet, itself sitting on a shield; other common elements include supporters holding up the shield and a motto • Was not necessarily passed down through generations EXACTLY as it was

13. Women’s Place in Medieval Society • Always subservient to males (husband, father, or brother) • No political rights. • Social standing dependent on that of her father or husband.

14. Chivalry and Courtly Love • Chivalry was a code of behavior of knights and gentlewomen. • Loyalty to overlord. • Observed rules of warfare. • Adoration of lady for self-improvement (courtly love). • Courtly love was non-sexual. • Based on ideals of the religious “cult” of the Virgin Mary. • Led to improved and idealized attitude toward women. • Inspired new literature called the “romance”.

15. Clergy are the First Estate. Answered only to the Pope, who could not control their corruption. Language was Latin; primary literature was the Bible. The First Estate: Those Who Pray

16. Knights are the Second Estate. Descendants of the aristocracy, so language and traditions were French. Literature was the “romance” - (hero on quest with supernatural elements). The Second Estate: Those Who Fight

17. The growing population are the Third Estate. Included those in cities – merchants and workers who became the middle class Language was Middle English. Literature included ballads and other writings about common people. The Third Estate: Those Who Work

18. The New City Classes • Marked beginning of the decline of feudalism. • Development of the merchant class in cities. • Free from knighthood and overlords. • Earned own money and could pay for what they wanted. • Merchants became upper middle class. • Workers belonged to craft unions, or guilds.

19. The Crusades

20. The Crusades • Series of holy wars. • Took place from 1095-1270. • Effort to take Jerusalem and other holy lands from the Muslims. • Contact with the sophisticated civilizations of Middle Eastern culture -- such as mathematics, astronomy, architecture, and crafts -- influenced the lives of the English.

21. The Martyrdom of Thomas á Becket

22. Martyrdom of Thomas á Becket • Anglo-Saxon who was Lord Chancellor under King Henry II. • Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury - head of the Church in England. • Retained loyalty to the Pope - Church of Rome. • Killed by four of Henry’s soldiers. • Martyrdom led to public reaction against the monarchy.

23. Martyrdom of Thomas á Becket • Negative effect: Corruption among the clergy became a major problem. • Positive effect: Fostered international culture through its religious system. • Latin was the international language of statesmen. • Church was center for education and publications.

24. The Magna Carta- “The Great Charter”

25. The Magna Carta • The Magna Carta – “The Great Charter”. • Signed by King John in 1215. Brother of Richard the Lionhearted and son of Henry II. Had backing of the Pope, but own men turned against him. • Marked the return to more democratic form of government. • Originally for aristocrats. • Basis for constitutional law that protected all citizens. • Forerunner of our own constitutional and legal system.

26. The Hundred Years War • Between France and England - fought in France • Originated from Anglo-Norman connections to lands • Dispute of ownership of lands in France • Both Britain and France claimed taxation rights • British kings claimed early British victories made them kings of France • Joan of Arc helped inspire eventual French victory.

27. Hundred Years War • New weapons furthered the decline of the feudal system. • The longbow brought about end of knights and castles as adequate defense. • Made the yeoman the symbol of defense and important warrior in armies.

28. Highly contagious disease spread by fleas on rats. Also called the bubonic plague. Killed one-third of the population. Wages skyrocketed despite government efforts to freeze them. Many serfs fled to the cities to escape feudal lords. Led to Peasants’ Revolt led by Wat Tyler. Peasants wanted serfdom abolished. Riots continued until Tyler was killed. The Black Death

29. Miscellaneous Important Events • First printing press established in 1455 by Johann Gutenberg of Germany. • Issued first printed edition of Bible. • William Caxton set up printing press in Britain. • Led to cheaper books available for all people. • One of first books printed: Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

30. The War of the Roses • War of the Roses - lasted 30 years. • Struggle between the York family (white rose) and the Lancaster family (red rose). • Richard III was member of the York family. • Defeated at Bosworth Field. • Opposing army led by Henry Tudor of Lancaster family. • Henry Tudor was crowned Henry VII in 1485. • Established the Tudor dynasty that ruled for 120 years. • Married Elizabeth of York and united the two families.

31. Timeline • 1066—Norman conquest of England • 1086—DomesdayBook, the Norman census and inventory • 1096—The Crusades begin • 1170—Thomas a Beckett murdered • 1215—Magna Carta signed • 1265—First English Parliament

32. Known for his righteousness and piety. Supposedly could heal the sick with his touch. Died without an heir. Edward the Confessor

33. Brother-in-law (not nephew) of King Edward. Took over throne and ruled for about 10 months until he was killed in Battle of Hastings. Last of the Anglo-Saxon kings. Harold Godwinson – Harold II

34. Distant cousin of King Edward. From Normandy. Known for starting Tower of London and Domesday Book. Spent most of his time in France. Killed falling off his horse in battle in 1087. William the Conqueror

35. Son of William the Conqueror. Strong military leader. Very unpopular. Killed while hunting with his brother around 1100. William II

36. Son of William the Conqueror. Married Mathilda (Descendent of Alfred the Great). Many children, but no legitimate sons. Daughter Margaret married the Duke of Ainjou, a Plantagenet, and had a son named Henry. Henry I died from eating eels. Grandson (Henry II) too young to take throne. Henry I’s nephew, Stephen took over. Henry I

37. William the Conqueror’s grandson. Ruled 19 years. Terrible king - earls were little more than gangsters. Had no heir, but adopted Henry I’s grandson, Henry II. Henry II took over after Stephen’s death. Stephen I

38. Grew up in Norman court. Best friend was Thomas á Becket, an Anglo-Saxon peasant who lived in the court. Set up Royal Court to administer code of conduct; code became the Common Law and led to jury system. Selected Thomas á Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry II

39. Henry II (continued) • Died after learning that youngest son, John, had joined a plot to force him to abdicate. • Henry II had married Eleanor of Aquitaine (scandal). • Had many children, three are known well: Arthur (died in teens), Richard, and John. • Followed by Richard.

40. Richard the Lionheart • Ruled 10 years, but spent all but 25 weeks on crusades. • While held for ransom, brother John tried to take over. Richard pardons John upon his return. • Died from gangrene following battle wound in 1199.

41. Unpopular because of heavy taxation, disputes with Church (excommunicated by Pope), and war with France. Forced to sign Magna Carta in 1215. Died of dysentery in 1216. King John