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The Medieval Period. The Middle Ages/ Middle English 1066 - 1485. The Normans (“north men”). Originally from Northern Europe (like Danes) Settled in Normandy Adopted French ways Wm. intros French ways to England 1066 – Old English changes to Middle English!!!. Feudalism.
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The Medieval Period The Middle Ages/ Middle English 1066 - 1485
The Normans(“north men”) • Originally from Northern Europe (like Danes) • Settled in Normandy • Adopted French ways • Wm. intros French ways to England 1066 – Old English changes to Middle English!!!
Feudalism • Political & economic system • Based on hierarchy of power • King owned all land • ¼ to king • ¼ to church • Rest to loyal nobles (“barons”)in return for pay or warriors (“knights”)
Thus, the social ladder: Kings Barons Knights Serfs – conquered Anglo-Saxons; peasants bound to land they couldn’t own
Protecting Norman interests • Barons build castles to dominate countryside & defend the realm • Cathedrals & abbeys erected (see pamphlet)
Power struggles • 1135 Wm.’s son Henry I dies • Violent struggle between daughter Matilda & nephew Stephen • 1154 – Matilda’s son Henry Plantagenet takes throne (Henry II) – great memorable leader
Eleanor of Aquitaine • Most powerful woman of 12th c. • Former French queen • Vast landholdings in France as part of her dowry • Brought to England “chivalry”: code of honor to govern knightly behavior, to honor & protect ladies, & go on holy quests (see purple text p. 209)
Thomas a Becket • Henry II’s friend • Appointed to Archbishop of Canterbury • Criticized for favoring church interests over crown • Murdered by Henry’s knights • Henry proclaims innocence and reconciles w/church • Becket declared a saint, shrine built
Richard the Lion-hearted • Henry II’s son • Spent most of 10-yr. reign fighting in Crusades in France • Brother John (villain of Robin Hood legends) plotted against him • Dies and John becomes king
John • Royal treasury goes bankrupt by overseas warfare • Must sign the Magna Carta – limits royal authority; gives more power to barons; early step to democracy • Eventually parliaments are formed – councils of barons but later to include commoners as well
Which Big Hair Band sang it anyway? • “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” -Aerosmith • “Never Say Goodbye” - Bon Jovi • “Love Bites” - Def Leppard • “Home Sweet Home” - Motley Crue
Which Big Hair Band sang it anyway? • “Patience” - Guns and Roses • “Is This Love?” - Whitesnake • “Keep on Lovin You” - REO Speedwagon • “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” - Poison
Ballads • songs that tell stories • Popular in England & Scotland • Loved by the commoners, particularly the illiterate • About ordinary people • Passed on orally • Most were anonymous; not written down ‘til 18th c.
Ballads, cont’d. • Focus on a single incident • Popular subjects: tragic love, domestic conflict, crime, war, & shipwreck • Some tragic; others comedic • Deal with everyday life & problems
Poetic devices • Stanzas are quatrains (?) • Rhyme scheme of abcb • Rhythm (1st & 3rd lines – 4 stressed syllables; 2nd & 4th – 3 stressed) • Dialogue • Repetition of letters (alliteration), words, & phrases
Every Rose Has Its Thorn I could’ve spent another night If I’d known what to say Instead of makin’ love We both made our separate ways.