The Middle Ages: 1066-1485
| 6_lessons_of_life.docx |
William the Conqueror of France defeated King Harold of England (the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings) in
the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Norman Conquest (French took over England) began, an event
that radically changed English history, the English character, and the English language.
England changed from Anglo-Saxon to Anglo-Norman:
1. French language
2. French rulers
3. New social system: Feudalism
the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The Norman Conquest (French took over England) began, an event
that radically changed English history, the English character, and the English language.
England changed from Anglo-Saxon to Anglo-Norman:
1. French language
2. French rulers
3. New social system: Feudalism
Intro to Life in the Middle Ages: watch this video!
| middle_ages_timeline.mht |
Feudalism:
The Feudal System was introduced to England following the invasion and conquest of the country by William I (The Conqueror).
The system had been used in France by the Normans from the time they first settled there in about 900AD. It was a simple, but effective system, where all land was owned by the King. One quarter was kept by the King as his personal property, some was given to the church and the rest was leased out under strict controls.
Feudalism Caste System:
Feudalism was based on class distinction, property , and military systems.
1. The KING was the supreme ruler according to the caste system, only under God. The king was an all-powerful overlord and landowner.
2. BARONS/Lords: Aristocratic dependent tenant who received land (fief) from a lord in exchange for military service. Barons could serve higher lords and serve as lords themselves by distributing portions of their land.
3. KNIGHTS: armored warriors.. vassals who had to provide their lords with military service for a certain period of time
4. SERFS: Peasants who worked on the land
1. The KING was the supreme ruler according to the caste system, only under God. The king was an all-powerful overlord and landowner.
2. BARONS/Lords: Aristocratic dependent tenant who received land (fief) from a lord in exchange for military service. Barons could serve higher lords and serve as lords themselves by distributing portions of their land.
3. KNIGHTS: armored warriors.. vassals who had to provide their lords with military service for a certain period of time
4. SERFS: Peasants who worked on the land
KNIGHTHOOD:
The medieval knight was the equivalent of the modern tank. He was covered
in multiple layers of armor, and could plow through foot soldiers standing in
his way. Becoming a knight was part of the feudal agreement. In return for
military service, the knight received a fief (piece of land granted by a lord in
return for service). These knights often fought more for pillaging than for wages.
When they captured a city, they were allowed to ransack it, stealing goods and
valuables.
**Three steps in becoming a knight (trained warriors):
1. When a boy was eight years old, he was sent to the neighboring castle where he was
trained as a PAGE. The boy was usually the son of a knight or of a member of the
aristocracy. He spent most of his time strengthening his body, wrestling and riding
horses. He also learned how to fight with a spear and a sword. He also learned to read
and write, as well as sing and dance and how to behave in the king’s court.
2. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, a boy became a SQUIRE in service to a knight. His
duties included dressing the knight in the morning, serving all of the knight’s meals,
caring for the knight’s horse, and cleaning the knight’s armor and weapons. He
followed the knight to tournaments and assisted his lord on the battlefield. A squire
also prepared himself by learning how to handle a sword and lance while wearing
forty pounds of armor and riding a horse.
3. When he was about twenty, a squire could become a KNIGHT after proving himself worthy.
A young man could become a knight for valor in combat after a battle or sometimes before a
battle to help him gain courage. A lord would agree to knight him in a dubbing ceremony.
For more information about knighthood: http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/medknight.html
in multiple layers of armor, and could plow through foot soldiers standing in
his way. Becoming a knight was part of the feudal agreement. In return for
military service, the knight received a fief (piece of land granted by a lord in
return for service). These knights often fought more for pillaging than for wages.
When they captured a city, they were allowed to ransack it, stealing goods and
valuables.
**Three steps in becoming a knight (trained warriors):
1. When a boy was eight years old, he was sent to the neighboring castle where he was
trained as a PAGE. The boy was usually the son of a knight or of a member of the
aristocracy. He spent most of his time strengthening his body, wrestling and riding
horses. He also learned how to fight with a spear and a sword. He also learned to read
and write, as well as sing and dance and how to behave in the king’s court.
2. At the age of fifteen or sixteen, a boy became a SQUIRE in service to a knight. His
duties included dressing the knight in the morning, serving all of the knight’s meals,
caring for the knight’s horse, and cleaning the knight’s armor and weapons. He
followed the knight to tournaments and assisted his lord on the battlefield. A squire
also prepared himself by learning how to handle a sword and lance while wearing
forty pounds of armor and riding a horse.
3. When he was about twenty, a squire could become a KNIGHT after proving himself worthy.
A young man could become a knight for valor in combat after a battle or sometimes before a
battle to help him gain courage. A lord would agree to knight him in a dubbing ceremony.
For more information about knighthood: http://library.thinkquest.org/10949/fief/medknight.html
Ballads: a song or songlike poem that tells a story
= songs of the people (tragedy, love,etc.)
=passed down from generation to generation
=rhyme scheme is A-B-C-B
Ballad Characteristics:
| ballad_characteristics11.docx.gdoc |
Ballad Examples:
| barbara_allen.gdoc |
| get_up_and_bar_the_door_ballad.docx |
| lord_randall_ballad.docx |
In-Class Ballad:
| in_class_ballad_assignment.docx |
