English English LiteratureLiterature

The Anglo-Saxon &The Anglo-Saxon &

The Medieval PeriodThe Medieval Period(Old English and Middle English)(Old English and Middle English)

The Celts in BritainThe Celts in Britain

Before and during the 4th century B.C.• Britain home to several

Celtic tribes• Britain named for one

Celtic tribe—the Brythons

• The other tribe-the Gaels-settled in Ireland

• Farmers and hunters• Celtic religion a form of

animism• Druids were Celtic priests

Social StructureSocial Structure

Celtic tribesCeltic tribes– 20-30 tribes, each with a king20-30 tribes, each with a king– people worked on their familypeople worked on their family’’s farms farm– trained Druids were important in trained Druids were important in

religious lifereligious life– women could be soldiers and leaderswomen could be soldiers and leaders

• Queen Boadicea fought the RomansQueen Boadicea fought the Romans

Roman InvasionRoman Invasion

55 B.C. 55 B.C. • Julius Caesar invades BritainJulius Caesar invades Britain Latin is spoken Latin is spoken A.D. 43A.D. 43 Celts defeated by ClaudiusCelts defeated by Claudius Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads Romans build walls, villas, baths, roads The Britons were absorbed into Roman societyThe Britons were absorbed into Roman societyA.D. 409A.D. 409 Romans evacuate their troopsRomans evacuate their troops Central government breaks downCentral government breaks down Britain left vulnerable to attackBritain left vulnerable to attack Often noted as the beginning of the Often noted as the beginning of the ““Dark AgesDark Ages””

Invasion from Northern Invasion from Northern GermanyGermany

Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons 449 AD-People 449 AD-People

from northern from northern Europe begin a Europe begin a series of invasionsseries of invasions

Anglo-SaxonsAnglo-Saxons (Angles and Saxons)(Angles and Saxons)

– bring Germanic bring Germanic languageslanguages

– Beginnings of Old Beginnings of Old English the first English the first language recognized language recognized as “English”as “English”

Woden--father of the gods

Anglo-Saxon SocietyAnglo-Saxon Society

Kinship groups led by strong warrior Kinship groups led by strong warrior chiefchief

People farmedPeople farmed Establishment of local governmentsEstablishment of local governments Fine craftwork producedFine craftwork produced English emerged as a written English emerged as a written

language (first time stories are language (first time stories are written down)written down)

Anglo-Saxon ReligionAnglo-Saxon Religion

Offered no hope of Offered no hope of an afterlifean afterlife

Valued earthly Valued earthly virtues of bravery, virtues of bravery, loyalty, generosity, loyalty, generosity, friendshipfriendship

Similar to Norse Similar to Norse mythologymythology

Odin=Woden from Odin=Woden from which we get which we get WednesdayWednesday

Anglo-Saxon BardsAnglo-Saxon Bards

Called scopsCalled scops Strummed harp as Strummed harp as

they sang songs they sang songs and stories of and stories of heroic deedsheroic deeds

Since A-S didn’t Since A-S didn’t believe in afterlife-believe in afterlife-warriors gained warriors gained immortality immortality through songsthrough songs

By 600, Anglo-By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Saxons conquer the BritonsBritons– language becomes language becomes

more Germanicmore Germanic still retains some Latinstill retains some Latin

The Anglo-SaxonsThe Anglo-Saxons’’ two urgings--two urgings--war war and and wandering wandering become part of the become part of the oral traditionoral tradition– BeowulfBeowulf is an is an

example of an Anglo-example of an Anglo-Saxon hero taleSaxon hero tale

Beowulf battles Grendel’s mother

By 700, Christian By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to missionaries arrive to convert the pagansconvert the pagans

LatinLatin (the language of (the language of the Church) the Church) returnsreturns

800-900 AD Vikings 800-900 AD Vikings invadeinvade from Denmark from Denmark and Norwayand Norway

King Alfred-878 ADKing Alfred-878 AD-Organizes the Britons -Organizes the Britons

to counter attacks by to counter attacks by VikingsVikings

-Considered first true -Considered first true king of the Britonsking of the Britons

– period of prosperityperiod of prosperity– England becomes a England becomes a

nationnation

King Alfred brings an age of prosperity

End of Anglo-Saxon PeriodEnd of Anglo-Saxon Period

In In 10661066, the Normans (, the Normans (French speaking French speaking people from Normandy in Francepeople from Normandy in France), led ), led by by William the Conqueror,William the Conqueror, attack and attack and defeat the English at the defeat the English at the Battle of Battle of HastingsHastings -the 3rd language -the 3rd language

is introduced—is introduced—FrenchFrench-French culture -French culture and French and French literature arrivesliterature arrives

William, Duke of NormandyWilliam, Duke of Normandy

Defeats Anglo-SaxonsDefeats Anglo-Saxons Confiscates Anglo-Saxon landsConfiscates Anglo-Saxon lands Excludes Anglo-Saxon lords from courtExcludes Anglo-Saxon lords from court Introduces feudalism as a Introduces feudalism as a

social/economic system. social/economic system. Beginning of Beginning of ““middle Englishmiddle English”” a a

combination of Old English, Old combination of Old English, Old French, and LatinFrench, and Latin

Norman Conquest Marks Norman Conquest Marks Beginning of Medieval Beginning of Medieval

PeriodPeriod Medieval is an English word that is Medieval is an English word that is

based on the Latin based on the Latin ““medium aevummedium aevum”” which means which means ““middle agesmiddle ages””

The The ““middle agesmiddle ages”” is the middle period is the middle period of history (antiquity, middle ages, of history (antiquity, middle ages, modern times)modern times)

Generally covers the period between Generally covers the period between the fall of Rome and the Renaissance. the fall of Rome and the Renaissance.

The “High” Middle Ages(begin 1095)

• Begin with the First Crusade (1095)--reclaim Jerusalem from the infidels– Open trade routes

– Peasants (the vassals) are liberated from their lords to fight, and die, in the Holy Lands

– Cities spring up along the crusade routes

– Feudalism dies out

– the transition to the Renaissance begins

The “High” Middle Ages

• Before, in the Dark Ages, the Church provided structure to society, not only with religion, but by providing education, as well.

• Sadly, with the Crusades, the Church becomes incredibly corrupt.– Popes fight for

political power– Greed is rampant

• selling of indulgences• Crusades for $• look for this in the Tales

The Magna Carta (1215)The Magna Carta (1215)

Some barons rebel against King JohnSome barons rebel against King John– High taxesHigh taxes– Costly warsCostly wars– Loss of propertyLoss of property

He was forced to sign The Magna He was forced to sign The Magna CartaCarta– Limited the power of the kingLimited the power of the king– Barons could overrule kingBarons could overrule king’’s rulingss rulings– Right to trialRight to trial

The Black Death-1348The Black Death-1348 Spreads along trade Spreads along trade

routesroutes Kills 1/3 to 1/2 of the Kills 1/3 to 1/2 of the

populationpopulation Plague outbreaks occur Plague outbreaks occur

through the Middle Ages through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissanceand into the Renaissance Paradoxically, the Plague provides Paradoxically, the Plague provides

for continued growth in citiesfor continued growth in cities– Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs Afterwards, hundreds of new jobs

availableavailable– Many debts Many debts ““died offdied off”” with creditors with creditors

also contributed to societyalso contributed to society’’s s cultureculture

PeasantPeasant’’s Revolt-1381s Revolt-1381

Black Death kills so many that workers are Black Death kills so many that workers are in demand, so lords agree to pay peasants in demand, so lords agree to pay peasants to workto work

Peasants afraid this will be taken away as Peasants afraid this will be taken away as more labor is availablemore labor is available

Wars were expensive and paid for by Wars were expensive and paid for by taxing peasantstaxing peasants

Captured the Tower of London, killed Captured the Tower of London, killed bishop of Canterbury and National bishop of Canterbury and National Treasurer before being dispursedTreasurer before being dispursed

Welcome to England and the Welcome to England and the English…English…

an island of an island of peoples, languagespeoples, languages, and , and divisions...divisions...

LatinLatin -- church, schools -- church, schoolsFrenchFrench -- court, castle -- court, castleEnglishEnglish -- commoners -- commoners

The White Tower in London…

part of William’s legacyChartres Cathedral

What was it like to live What was it like to live in the Middle Ages?in the Middle Ages?

Some Overarching Principles that Governed Medieval LifeSome Overarching Principles that Governed Medieval Life

The Great Chain of BeingThe Great Chain of Being Name given to the Name given to the

ancient belief in the ancient belief in the unchangeable order of unchangeable order of the universe from the the universe from the highest spiritual beings highest spiritual beings (God) to the lowest (God) to the lowest inanimate objects (dirt)inanimate objects (dirt)

Supported the belief Supported the belief that people were born that people were born into their place (estate) into their place (estate) and were meant to stay and were meant to stay there by Godthere by God’’s will. s will.

The Three Estates in the Middle AgesThe Three Estates in the Middle Ages

Estates viewed as the Estates viewed as the natural order of natural order of society:society:– ClergyClergy

Latin chiefly spoken, Latin chiefly spoken, those those who praywho pray, purpose was to , purpose was to save everyonesave everyone’’s souls soul

– NoblesNobles French chiefly spoken, French chiefly spoken,

those who fight, those who fight, purposepurpose was to protect—allow for was to protect—allow for all to work in peace—and all to work in peace—and provide justiceprovide justice

– CommonersCommoners English spoken, English spoken, those who those who

workwork, purpose was to feed , purpose was to feed and clothe all above themand clothe all above them

FeudalismFeudalism The economic system of much The economic system of much

of the Middle Ages of the Middle Ages Feudalism created ties of Feudalism created ties of

obedience and loyalty between obedience and loyalty between the peasants and their lord.the peasants and their lord.

Peasants lived on a feudal Peasants lived on a feudal manor. The lord of the manor manor. The lord of the manor gave his peasants land to gave his peasants land to farm. farm.

Peasants were taxed and had Peasants were taxed and had to surrender a portion of their to surrender a portion of their crops to the lordcrops to the lord..

In return, peasants received In return, peasants received protection from roving bandits. protection from roving bandits.

A peasant renews his oath of loyalty to his lord.

Chivalry Chivalry A product of feudalism, A product of feudalism,

chivalry was an chivalry was an idealized system of idealized system of manners and moralsmanners and morals– Restricted to nobilityRestricted to nobility

Medieval knight was Medieval knight was bound to the code of bound to the code of chivalry to be loyal to…chivalry to be loyal to…– GodGod– his lordhis lord– his ladyhis lady

Ideals of Chivalry Ideals of Chivalry include...include...– kindnesskindness– brotherly lovebrotherly love– politenesspoliteness

Sir GawainSir Gawain is an example is an example

The Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church

Provided guidance through Provided guidance through well known precepts..well known precepts..

Seven Deadly SinsSeven Deadly SinsPridePride GluttonyGluttony

GreedGreed SlothSloth

WrathWrath LustLust

EnvyEnvy

Seven VirtuesSeven VirtuesPrudencePrudence FaithFaith

TemperanceTemperance HopeHope

JusticeJustice LoveLove

CourageCourage

The Wheel of FortuneThe Wheel of Fortune

The idea of Fortune spinning The idea of Fortune spinning her wheel was one of the her wheel was one of the most pervasive ideas most pervasive ideas throughout the Middle throughout the Middle Ages. Ages.

On the wheel are depicted On the wheel are depicted four figures:four figures:

-one on the left (I shall reign)-one on the left (I shall reign)

-one on top (I reign)-one on top (I reign)

-one on the right (I have -one on the right (I have reigned)reigned)

-one on the bottom (I am -one on the bottom (I am without a kingdom)without a kingdom)

It served to remind people of the temporality of earthly things.

The Wheel helps us understandthe medieval mind, and it canhelp remind us that the importantthings in life come from within,that hard work has its own merits.An award, an office, a title—theseare not the things that make for greatness.

the Ptolemaic the Ptolemaic

UniverseUniverse

Imagine a sphere that encloses Imagine a sphere that encloses another that holds another that another that holds another that holds yet anotherholds yet another……and and continues into heaven…continues into heaven…

It is a commonly held myth It is a commonly held myth that people of the Medieval that people of the Medieval period thought the Earth was period thought the Earth was flat…FALSE!flat…FALSE!

– It was round, but at the center of It was round, but at the center of the universe!the universe!

So what! Well, the So what! Well, the people of the Medieval people of the Medieval period period lovedloved order! order! Remember the Three Remember the Three Estates, the Seven Estates, the Seven Deadly Sins—a place for Deadly Sins—a place for everyone and everyone everyone and everyone in that place.in that place.

Enough Enough already!already!

I thought this was an I thought this was an EnglishEnglish class!class!

Literature During Literature During the Medieval the Medieval

PeriodPeriod

CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Latin was the language of the Roman Latin was the language of the Roman Catholic Church, so, Latin was a Catholic Church, so, Latin was a common language for Medieval common language for Medieval writings. writings.

Much of literature is anonymous-old Much of literature is anonymous-old stories retoldstories retold

Use of ALLEGORY: a device in which Use of ALLEGORY: a device in which characters or events symbolize ideas characters or events symbolize ideas and conceptsand concepts (The Lord of the Rings is an allegory for the World Wars)

Characteristics of Medieval Characteristics of Medieval LiteratureLiterature

HeroismHeroism– from both Germanic and Christian from both Germanic and Christian

traditions, sometimes mingledtraditions, sometimes mingled BeowulfBeowulf Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight

Presentations of idealized behaviorPresentations of idealized behavior– literature as moral lessonliterature as moral lesson

loyalty to kingloyalty to king ChivalryChivalry

Courtly LoveCourtly Love

The Ideal of Courtly LoveThe Ideal of Courtly Love

relationship was modeled on the relationship was modeled on the feudal relationship loyalty of a feudal relationship loyalty of a knight to his liege lord. knight to his liege lord.

knight serves his courtly lady with knight serves his courtly lady with the same obedience and loyalty the same obedience and loyalty which he owes to his liege lord. which he owes to his liege lord.

She is in complete control; he She is in complete control; he owes her obedience and owes her obedience and submissionsubmission

The knight's love for the lady The knight's love for the lady inspires him to do great deedsinspires him to do great deeds, in , in

order to be worthy of her love or to order to be worthy of her love or to win her favor. win her favor.

““Courtly love" Courtly love" was not between husband and was not between husband and wifewife because it was an idealized sort of because it was an idealized sort of relationship that could not exist within the relationship that could not exist within the context of "real life" medieval marriages.context of "real life" medieval marriages.

In the middle ages, marriages amongst the In the middle ages, marriages amongst the nobility were typically based on practical nobility were typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on love.and dynastic concerns rather than on love.

““Courtly love" provided a model Courtly love" provided a model of behavior for a class of of behavior for a class of unmarried young men who might unmarried young men who might otherwise have threatened social otherwise have threatened social stability.stability.

Knights were typically younger Knights were typically younger brothers without land of their brothers without land of their own (hence unable to support a own (hence unable to support a wife).wife).

They became members of the They became members of the household of the feudal lords household of the feudal lords whom they served. whom they served.

The lady is typically older, married, and The lady is typically older, married, and of higher social status than the of higher social status than the

knight because she was modeled on knight because she was modeled on the wife of the feudal lord, who might the wife of the feudal lord, who might

naturally become the focus of the naturally become the focus of the young, unmarried knights' desire.young, unmarried knights' desire.

The literary model of courtly The literary model of courtly love may have been invented to love may have been invented to

provide young men with a provide young men with a model for appropriate model for appropriate

behavior.behavior. It taught them to sublimate It taught them to sublimate their desires and to channel their desires and to channel

their energy into socially their energy into socially useful behavior (love service useful behavior (love service

rather than wandering around rather than wandering around the countryside, stealing or the countryside, stealing or

raping women.raping women.

The "symptoms" of love were The "symptoms" of love were described as as if it were a sickness. described as as if it were a sickness.

The "lovesick" knightThe "lovesick" knight’’s typical s typical symptoms: sighing, turning pale, symptoms: sighing, turning pale,

turning red, fever, inability to turning red, fever, inability to sleep, eat or drink.sleep, eat or drink.

The QuestThe Quest

The Quest was highly important:The Quest was highly important: the code of conduct observed by a the code of conduct observed by a

knight errant who is wandering in knight errant who is wandering in search of deeds of chivalry. This search of deeds of chivalry. This knight is bound by a code of behavior knight is bound by a code of behavior - a set of conventional principles and - a set of conventional principles and expectationsexpectations

A A questquest is a hero is a hero’’s journey s journey towards a goal. The objects of towards a goal. The objects of quests require great exertion on quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and the the part of the hero, and the overcoming of many obstacles.overcoming of many obstacles.

The hero's must obtain something, The hero's must obtain something, or someone, by the quest and with or someone, by the quest and with this object return home.this object return home.

Usually, an inner and outer problem for Usually, an inner and outer problem for the character is set.the character is set.

The hero is introduced; audience The hero is introduced; audience identifies with them identifies with them

The hero lacks something, has a tragic The hero lacks something, has a tragic flaw, or a deep wound flaw, or a deep wound

The call often produces disorientation The call often produces disorientation and discomfort for the hero and discomfort for the hero

The call is often in the form of a dire The call is often in the form of a dire warning warning

Excuses are used to avoid the call Excuses are used to avoid the call This hesitation illustrates the This hesitation illustrates the

formidability of the challenge ahead formidability of the challenge ahead Resistance creates change and Resistance creates change and

strength, allowing the hero to grow strength, allowing the hero to grow A physical or metaphorical crossing is A physical or metaphorical crossing is

mademade The crossing is an irrevocable leap of The crossing is an irrevocable leap of

faith, from which therefaith, from which there’’s no turning back s no turning back

The hero faces his greatest fearThe hero faces his greatest fear The hero The hero ““dies,dies,”” so he can be reborn so he can be reborn The hero gains new perception The hero gains new perception This new perception may create a This new perception may create a

moment of claritymoment of clarity The moment may be of great self-The moment may be of great self-

realization for the hero realization for the hero It may also be an epiphany for the It may also be an epiphany for the

herohero’’s companions s companions

The HeroThe Hero

Is often of divine descent endowed Is often of divine descent endowed with great strength and ability" with great strength and ability"

or "a man admired for his or "a man admired for his achievements and noble achievements and noble

qualities" qualities"

Characteristics of Medieval Characteristics of Medieval LiteratureLiterature

RomanceRomance– Sir Gawain and the Green KnightSir Gawain and the Green Knight– A narrative in prose or verse that tells of the A narrative in prose or verse that tells of the

adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroesheroes exploits of knightsexploits of knights often a supernatural element involvedoften a supernatural element involved

Christian messageChristian message– concern with salvation and the world to comeconcern with salvation and the world to come– no interest in social changeno interest in social change

until the late 14th centuryuntil the late 14th century Chaucer signals new thinking, up-ending social Chaucer signals new thinking, up-ending social

orderorder