Socio-Politic, Religion Issues, Literary Trends on Medieval Period

2. Edward the Confessor (1042 - 1066) allegedly
promised his kingdom to William, Duke of
Normandy. On Edward's death, William invaded
England to take what he considered rightfully his.
This he did at the Battle of Hastings on 14th
October, 1066, killing Harold II in the process.
William took over the country and installed his
own nobles on Saxon estates. To check up on
what he actually had, he instigated the famous
Domesday Book, listing every holding in the land.
Source : http://www.forumancientcoins.com/historia/england_2.htm

3.  The conflict was between France and England
lasting 116 years, though there were long
periods between battles.
 It was fought primarily over claims by the
English kings to the French throne.
 It was started by Edward III (his mother was the
daughter of the French King Philip IV).
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

4.  Feudalism:
“hierarchical
system of
government in
which local lords
governed their
own lands but
owed military
service and other
support to a
greater lord.”
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

5. The king had plenty of
land; but he could not
control it all. So he gave
land to lords (barons) in
exchange for protection,
loyalty and $.
Lords then gave their
land to knights in
exchange for protection,
service at war, loyalty
and $.
Knights let serfs
(peasants) work the land
and they got protection,
food and shelter.
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696
barons

6.  No strong central government:
› King must ask his lords for knights in time of
war
› King must ask his lords for money to pay for
things
› Lords hold most of the power
› Lords constantly fighting among themselves.
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

7.  A product of feudalism,
chivalry was an idealized
system of manners and
morals
› Restricted to nobility
 The Medieval knight was
bound to the chivalric code
to be loyal to…
› God
› his lord
› his lady
 Chivalric ideals include...
› benevolence
› brotherly love
› Politeness
- Sir Gawain is an example
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/tbarnhart16/medieval-period-powerpoint-
33045420?qid=c5574fdc-589b-4725-b5fc-
550ce1536794&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1

8. Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

9.  French was spoken in
the English court for
the next 200 years.
 MIDDLE ENGLISH (1100-
1500) *grammatically
simpler + structures
and a lot of
vocabulary from
French.
 1086 - William I creates
Domesday Book for
purposes of fair tax
collection.
(* Great resource for modern
historians to learn about
Medieval life)
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

10.  English King John
(Lackland) was an
unpopular king so his
nobles forced him to
sign it.
 Limited powers of king.
 Signed in 1215
 Example of Rule of
Law.
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

11.  No royal official shall take
goods from any man without
immediate payment.
 No free man shall be imprisoned
except by the lawful judgment
of his equals or by the law of the
land.
 In future no official shall place a
man on trial without producing
credible witnesses.
 Courts shall be held in a fixed
place at a fixed time.
 The barons shall elect a House
of Lords for the creation of laws.
 The English church shall be free.
 For a trivial offence, a free man
shall be fined only in proportion
to the degree of his offence.
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/giorgia23771/the-middle-ages-30499696

12. Religion was important in Medieval England.
The two largest religions in medieval
England were Roman Catholic and
Protestant. Roman Catholic was of course
brought to England by the Romans. You will
learn about Apostolic and apostolic
succession, the catholic views on the bible,
their views on salvation, and the powers of
the church. Martin Luther was the leader of
the protestant movement. You will learn
about the protestant beliefs and history.
However many protestant beliefs are the
same as the Catholics.
Source :
http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01895/

13.  Apostolicity and Apostolic Succession
One of the main ideas of this doctrine was whether they
were apostolic. This is where the church was trying to
maintain the most authentic teachings and practices
that were approved by the apostles (The 12
disciples). In medieval England the most important idea
about the church was that Peter was the first pope
ordained by Jesus himself. The church believed that all
the popes after Peter saying any one could understand
the bible by themselves. This challenge to the catholic
religion on this point allowed people to question the
catholic views about revelation, church doctrine, and
God’s will.
Source :
http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01895/

14.  Powers of the Church
Since the people believed in Heaven, Hell, and
Purgatory the church used this to there
advantage by claiming they held the keys to
heaven and hell. They virtually had control of
every one in England. They could send you to
one of these places using the Office of the Keys,
Sacraments, Excommunication, and Sales of
Indulgences.
Source :
http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01895/

15.  History
The Lutheran movement was the first protestant
movement led by Martin Luther who protested
certain practices of the Roman Catholics. It
spread rapidly through half of Europe. Lutherans
largely agreed on the importance of faith and
the authority of the bible. Protestantism began as
a series of semi-independent religious movement.
These movements resembled each other in their
rejection of Catholicism, and because of this the
Pope excommunicated all those who followed
the protestant movement.
Source :
http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01895/

16.  Beliefs
Protestants share most Christian beliefs with Catholicism and the
eastern orthodox religions. They believe there is only one god and
they believe in the trinity (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost).
However, they disagree on the faith in god and grace of god and
the authority of the bible. Unlike Catholics the Protestants believe
you only need faith in god to be saved. They believe that god is all
gracious and that people are incapable of saving their selves.
Therefore, they are saved by the grace of god and his grace
comes from Jesus dying on the cross. Most Protestants believe that
the bible should be the only authortive document of their religion.
They also believe in heaven and hell but not purgatory. Heaven is
obtained by having faith in god that you ask for redemption of your
sin sand that you claim Jesus as your savior. Hell is a place of eternal
torture where those who do not have faith go. However, some
people believe that the bible refers to purgatory by Abraham’s
Bosom.
Source :
http://library.thinkquest.org/04oct/01895/

17.  The Middle Ages saw the beginnings of a rebirth in
literature. Early medieval books were painstakingly
hand-copied and illustrated by monks. Paper was
a rarity, with vellum, made from calf's skin, and
parchment, made from lamb's skin, were the
media of choice for writing. Students learning to
write used wooden tablets covered in green or
black wax. The greatest number of books during
this era were bound with plain wooden boards, or
with simple tooled leather for more expensive
volumes.
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/ellaboi/literature-during-medieval-
period?qid=c5574fdc-589b-4725-b5fc-550ce1536794&v=qf1&b=&from_search=3

18.  Troubadour Poetry (Bernart de Ventadorn)
› Arthurian Legends
› Epic Romances/Quests (Dante Alighieri, Sir Gawain)
› Courtly Love
 Religious Poetry (Julian of Norwich)
 Fabliaux (Geoffrey Chaucer)
 Sonnets (Petrarch)
 Sestinas (Arnaut Daniel)
Source :
http://www.slideshare.net/tbarnhart16/medieval-period-powerpoint-
33045420?qid=c5574fdc-589b-4725-b5fc-
550ce1536794&v=qf1&b=&from_search=1

19.  Geoffrey Chaucer was born in
London c. 1343 into a
prosperous wine merchant
family.
 At the age of 16, he took part in
a military expedition to France,
a part of the Hundred Year’s
War.
 He was held prisoner, captured
by the France.
 The English king and Chaucer’s
friend paid the ransom for his
release.
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/Haider322/geoffrey-chaucer-
913431400?qid=a014b093-6964-4703-b7f9-
55c4a3b7e6d5&v=qf1&b=&from_search=5

20.  Geoffrey Chaucer, although considered the
greatest of English Medieval poets, was greatly
influenced by contemporaneous French and
Italian writers.
 His poems are remarkable for their narrative
sense, humor, and the strength
characterization.
 He died on October 25, 1400, at the age of c.
57.
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/Haider322/geoffrey-chaucer-
913431400?qid=a014b093-6964-4703-b7f9-
55c4a3b7e6d5&v=qf1&b=&from_search=5

21.  The Merchant's Portrait
270: A marchant was ther with a forked berd,
271: In mottelee, and hye on horse he sat;
272: Upon his heed a flaundryssh bever hat,
273: His bootes clasped faire and fetisly.
274: His resons he spak ful solempnely,
275: Sownynge alwey th' encrees of his wynnyng.
276: He wolde the see were kept for any thyng
277: Bitwixe middelburgh and orewelle.
278: Wel koude he in eschaunge sheeldes selle.
279: This worthy man ful wel his wit bisette:
280: Ther wiste no wight that he was in dette,
281: So estatly was he of his governaunce
282: With his bargaynes and with his chevyssaunce.
283: For sothe he was a worthy man with alle,
284: But, sooth to seyn, I noot how men hym calle.
Source: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/CT-prolog-para.html

22.  THE MERCHANT (Modern English)
There was a merchant with forked beard, and girt
In motley gown, and high on horse he sat,
Upon his head a Flemish beaver hat;
His boots were fastened rather elegantly.
His spoke his notions out right pompously,
Stressing the times when he had won, not lost.
He would the sea were held at any cost
Across from Middleburgh to Orwell town.
At money-changing he could make a crown.
This worthy man kept all his wits well set;
There was no one could say he was in debt,
So well he governed all his trade affairs
With bargains and with borrowings and with shares.
Indeed, he was a worthy man withal,
But, sooth to say, his name I can't recall.

23.  The Clerk's Portrait
285: A clerk ther was of oxenford also,
286: That unto logyk hadde longe ygo.
287: As leene was his hors as is a rake,
288: And he nas nat right fat, I undertake,
289: But looked holwe, and therto sobrely.
290: Ful thredbare was his overeste courtepy;
291: For he hadde geten hym yet no benefice,
292: Ne was so worldly for to have office.
293: For hym was levere have at his beddes heed
294: Twenty bookes, clad in blak or reed,
295: Of aristotle and his philosophie,
296: Than robes riche, or fithele, or gay sautrie.
297: But al be that he was a philosophre,
298: Yet hadde he but litel gold in cofre;
299: But al that he myghte of his freendes hente,
300: On bookes and on lernynge he it spente,
301: And bisily gan for the soules preye
302: Of hem that yaf hym wherwith to scoleye.
303: Of studie took he moost cure and moost heede,
304: Noght o word spak he moore than was neede,
305: And that was seyd in forme and reverence,
306: And short and quyk and ful of hy sentence;
307: Sownynge in moral vertu was his speche,
308: And gladly wolde he lerne and gladly teche.
 THE CLERK (Modern English)
A clerk from Oxford was with us also,
Who'd turned to getting knowledge, long ago.
As meagre was his horse as is a rake,
Nor he himself too fat, I'll undertake,
But he looked hollow and went soberly.
Right threadbare was his overcoat; for he
Had got him yet no churchly benefice,
Nor was so worldly as to gain office.
For he would rather have at his bed's head
Some twenty books, all bound in black and red,
Of Aristotle and his philosophy
Than rich robes, fiddle, or gay psaltery.
Yet, and for all he was philosopher,
He had but little gold within his coffer;
But all that he might borrow from a friend
On books and learning he would swiftly spend,
And then he'd pray right busily for the souls
Of those who gave him wherewithal for schools.
Of study took he utmost care and heed.
Not one word spoke he more than was his need;
And that was said in fullest reverence
And short and quick and full of high good sense.
Pregnant of moral virtue was his speech;
And gladly would he learn and gladly teach.
Source: http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/CT-prolog-para.html

24. Source: http://www.slideshare.net/Wahyupancahandayani/canterbury-tales-
10689475?qid=796d4a49-2a79-4f57-9aeb-
44a18fe9bded&v=default&b=&from_search=6

25.  The Legend of Good Women is more about
bad men than good women. The power of the
men increases in the progression of tales, from
a rebel youth to a king; simultaneously from the
active Cleopatra (and more interest in Antony
and the sea-battle anyway) to the passive
Hypermnestra. Hypsipyle and Medea are
crammed together because of one man,
Jason.

26.  John Wycliffe was born
near Richmond (Yorkshire)
in 1328
 He became an ordained
minister in 1351
 John was a fellow of
Merton in 1356
 He received his Master of
Arts at Biola in 1361
 In 1372, he became a
Doctor of Divinity
 He left Oxford in 1381
 John Wycliffe died on
December 31, 1384
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/stroyer/historical-character-
slide?qid=01356c1b-693b-45dc-a717-
45354df3f3df&v=default&b=&from_search=1

27.  The Wycliffe Bible is a
great landmark in the
history of the Bible and
the English language.
The first and literal
translation of the Latin
Vulgate Bible into the
English language was
done mostly by Wycliffe's
followers, notably
Nicholas Hereford. The
better revision was done
in 1395 directed by John
Purvey..

28.  Thomas Wyatt as born at
Allington Castle in Kent.
 Educated at John’s
College, Cambridge.
 He was the first English poet
to use the Italian forms of
the sonnet and terza rima,
and the French rondeau.
 Thomas and Anne had
been lovers before her
marriage to Henry, and his
sense of loss at their
separation forms the
subject of the famous
sonnet ‘Whoso List To Hunt’
Source: http://www.slideshare.net/mrcoder/sir-thomas-wyatt-all-
poems?qid=a97bc7ce-683f-4eb4-a652-
745d3bc0fbea&v=default&b=&from_search=1

29. DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTRARIOUS
PASSIONS IN A LOVER.
FIND no peace, and all my war is done ;
I fear and hope, I burn, and freeze like
ice ;
I fly aloft, yet can I not arise ;
And nought I have, and all the world I seize on,
That locks nor loseth, holdeth me in prison,
And holds me not, yet can I scape no wise :
Nor lets me live, nor die, at my devise,
And yet of death it giveth me occasion.
Without eye I see ; without tongue I plain :
I wish to perish, yet I ask for health ;
I love another, and thus I hate myself ;
I feed me in sorrow, and laugh in all my pain.
Lo, thus displeaseth me both death and life,
And my delight is causer of this strife.
2 In imitation of Petrarch, Son. 104. This sonnet will
be found, with some variations, in Nugæ Antiquæ, ed. 1769,
vol. i. p. 169, and in Davison's Poems, ed. 1621, book ii.
Canzon. viii. p. 108.
Source: http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/ifindno.htm

30. THE LOVER DESPAIRING TO ATTAIN
UNTO
HOSO list to hunt ? I know where is an
hind !
But as for me, alas ! I may no more,
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore ;
I am of them that furthest come behind.
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind
Draw from the deer ; but as she fleeth afore
Fainting I follow ; I leave off therefore,
Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt
As well as I, may spend his time in vain !
And graven with diamonds in letters plain,
There is written her fair neck round about ;
' Noli me tangere ; for Cæsar's I am,
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.'
[AJ Notes:
Thought to be about Anne Boleyn, with whom
Wyatt had a relationship before the King
became interested in her.
Noli me tangere, "touch me not." ]
HIS LADY'S GRACE RELINQUISHETH THE PURSUIT.
Source: http://www.luminarium.org/renlit/whosolist.htm