One Big Medieval Mess

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One Big Medieval Mess

• A Brief Look into the Dark Ages
• (bring your flashlight)

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So, this happenedwhen?

• 1066 Battle of Hastings William of Normandy
  becomes William the Conqueror
• Unites fragmented kingdoms that comprised England
  forging a new national identity
• A period of time marked by much civil and
  international war
• Medieval Age lasts until The English
  Renaissance in the early 1500s

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Map of Britain c. 1100AD
SCOTLAND
IRELAND
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Lasting Effects

• Introduced the Norman dialect to the English
  Language
• Linguistic shift from Old English to Middle
  English
• William is succeeded by his son, Henry I of
  England ? begins a long lineage of English
  kingship
• Establishes a Feudal Monarchy

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Feudalism

• Hierarchical governmental system in which a king
  will rule through regional leaders
• Top Tier The Monarchy (King, Queen, Courtiers)
• Second Tier Nobles/Lords (Barons, Dukes, Counts)
• Third Tier Knights (belonged to Lords)
• Fourth Tier Villeins/Freemen (Artisans,
  Craftsmen)
• Fifth Tier Serfs (Peasants)

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A Feudal Manor - Les Tres Riches Heures c.
1410
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The Father of English Poetry

• Geoffrey Chaucer (c.1343-1400)
• Had a varied socio-cultural experience
• Son of a merchant, served in the English army,
  spent time as a diplomat and served as a royal
  clerk
• Wrote his masterpiece The Canterbury Tales
• One of the most influential works in history
• Each tale contains a lesson while poking fun at
  medieval English society social satire
• Both entertaining and didactic
• Comprised of 24 tales
• Unfinished originally intended 124

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The General Prologue

• Introduces setting
• Describes each pilgrim
• personality and appearance
• Gives us a unique glimpse into medieval England
• Sets up and explores stereotypes
• Provides an outer framework for each pilgrims
  tale