Introduction to the period of Medieval Period

This an introduction to the different period of medieval

1. Medieval Period
“The Middle Ages”
1066-1485
The history of our English Language can be
divided into 3 periods:
1.Old English (before 1066)
2.Middle English (1066-1485)
3.Modern English (1485-present)

2. Language in Transition
“Middle Ages”
Around the year 1000, Old English
pronunciation changed when distinct vowel
sounds at the ends of words were being
dropped.
Middle English differed from Old English in its
greater reliance upon fewer plural forms.

3. Language in Transition
“Middle Ages”
Middle English was a more analytical
language.
Stressed word order/syntax
Incorporated “function” words—verbs

4. French Invade England
October of 1066
Leading Normandy was Duke William or “William the
Conqueror”, who defeated and killed the last Anglo-Saxon
king. This was the beginning of the Norman Conquest.

5. Norman Conquest
The Norman Conquest radically changed:
English History
English Character
English Language

6. William the Conqueror is known for
three accomplishments:
1.Creating the Domesday Book which was an
inventory of every piece of property in England.
2.Bringing the French language to England
Creating a bilingual society
Upper-Class: spoke French
Lower-Class: spoke English
3. Social System known as Feudalism

7. Feudalism & Knighthood
Feudalism
 Religious concept of hierarchy.
GOD
KING BARON
VASSAL
KNIGHTS SERFS

8. 2 Major impacts on England as a result of the
Feudal System: Form and Manners
Form—better known as knighthood.
The institution of knighthood was firmly
based on the ideas of loyalty.
We will see this clearly in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.
He is honor-bound to accept a challenge that he knows
could bring death.

9. 2
nd
major impact that the feudal system had on England:
Manners
Code of Chivalry—Courtly Love
 A system of ideas and behavior codes that
governed both knight
and gentlewoman.

10. Three aspects that make up the Code of Chivalry
1.Loyalty to Lord
Your oath, honor, and
respect went directly to
your lord.
2.Warfare Rule
Idea of Fairness
3.Courtly Love
Men--mostly the knights--
idolized women. They would
show this by wearing the
colors of their lady in battle, to
glorify her. This love for a
woman was thought to make
the knight a better fighter.
They were inspired by
women.

11. ROMANCE
Courtly Love provided ‘built-in’ drama for a poet or storyteller.
It brought about the form of literature known as a ROMANCE:
a medieval story in verse form in which a brave knight must
overcome great danger for the love of a noble lady or higher
idea.

12. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Composed around 1370
An unknown author
transformed the popular
romance into great art.
An alliterative romance
poem. (Legend)
Basic narrative pattern of a
romance:
1.Hero
2.Quest—in which the
hero undertakes a
perilous journey in
search of something of
great value.
3.Supernatural event

13. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
In Sir Gawain you will see the pull of sexual
temptation and of life in the medieval castle.
Gawain is the model of the chivalric hero
whose character is being tested on:
Courage
Fidelity
Morality

14. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
Purpose of Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight: teach us a moral lesson.
Theme: To achieve nobility human beings
must rely on the constant practice of a
number of virtues such as:
Courage
Honesty
Self-sacrifice

15. Setting (time)
The mythical past of King Arthur’s Court.
Setting (place)
Camelot; the wilderness; Bertilak’s castle; the Green
Chapel.
Motifs
The seasons; games
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight