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An Introduction to the Middle Ages and Geoffrey Chaucer

Learn about the Middle Ages, Chaucer, feudalism, Crusades, Hundred Years' War, Black Death, and more in English 12 class warm-up sessions. Understand the historical context, literature, and key figures of this period to enrich your knowledge of English poetry.

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An Introduction to the Middle Ages and Geoffrey Chaucer

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  1. An Introduction to the Middle Ages and Geoffrey Chaucer English 12 & English 12 Advanced Woodland Hills High School Mr. Brown By Dr. Moschetta

  2. Warm Up 1.3.13 • If you lived around the year 1350, what job do you think you would have? • Why? 2-4 sentences

  3. Warm Up • Grab a “guided notes” Introduction to the Middle Ages and Geoffrey Chaucerworksheet from the back of the projector cart. • Try and fill in the first section

  4. Literature from This Unit • The Canterbury Tales • By Geoffrey Chaucer • “Father of English Poetry” • First author to write in English (Middle English) [previously Latin] • Educated • Government official – work took precedence over writing • Worked on Canterbury Tales for 22 years; never finished

  5. The Middle Ages – Norman Invasion • 1066 – Duke William of Normandy • One-day long battle • Defeated and killed King Harold of England • William felt entitled to the English throne (Edward, previous king, left no heirs) • Combined Norman emphasis on law and order with Anglo Saxon democracy and culture

  6. Feudalism • Caste system (social class) • Military system • Property system • System of social behavior • Top of the Ladder: William the Conqueror • Barons, vassals, lower vassals, landless knights, serfs

  7. City Classes • Eventually many people left the country and moved to the cities • City classes not defined by the feudal system • Upper, middle, lower • Middle class = merchant class who could afford what they wanted

  8. Knighthood and Chivalry • Chivalry was a system of ideals that governed knights • Loyalty to overlord • Rules of warfare • Adoration of a lady

  9. Crusades: Series of religious wars to spread Christianity throughout Europe Struggle against Muslims Ultimately a failure Europe benefited from contact with higher civilization of Middle East Hundred Years’ War Battles between England and France Lasted over 100 years (1337-1453) Feud stemming from Norman Invasion Militarily unsuccessful for Britain; did increase sense of nationalism Crusades & Hundred Years’ War

  10. Black Death • Highly contagious plague • Spread through cities from fleas of infested rats • Killed 1/3 of people in England • Gave more power to people in lower classes • Caused labor shortage • Lower class workers willing to work could negotiate wages and working conditions

  11. Martyrdom of Sir Thomas a Becket • Thomas was a Norman who had great power in England as well as Catholic church (prime minister and Archbishop) • Sided with the Pope rather than the King • King Henry II (half joking) said he wanted Thomas put to death • Henry’s knights killed Thomas in the cathedral at Canterbury

  12. Martyrdom of Sir Thomas a Becket • Saint Thomas the Martyr • Made a saint and martyred by a cult following who opposed the king • People made pilgrimages to Canterbury to honor Saint Thomas’s memory • The Canterbury Tales are a fictional collection of stories from a group of people making this pilgrimage to Canterbury

  13. Homework • Read and outline: “Development of English” p90-91 “From Canterbury Tales” p92-93

  14. Worst Jobs in History • Middle Ages jobs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZrE1mVcB2k (part 1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPgkfxuyBgM&NR=1 (part 2)

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