Post on 29-Dec-2015
British LiteratureUnit II
The Medieval Period 1066-1485
Norman Invasion
Descended from Germanic tribes that invaded the French
Adopted the French language and allegiance to French king
When English King, Edward the Confessor, died without an heir in 1066, Norman duke William claimed the throne.
Won the Battle of Hastings
William the Conqueror
William the Conqueror took all land Ejected Anglo-Saxon leaders Most people were serfs, permanent slaves
to Norman lords. The clergy owned vast tracks of land,
maintained separate legal system, taxes (tithes), and communicated with religious leaders.
Clergy supervised education of most people
Language Three languages
Normans rulers: FrenchClergy & legal profession: LatinCommoners: Evolving Anglo-
Saxon
Medieval Literature
Norman invasion prevented people from writing literature down/ oral tradition
Literary Traditions Survived Nobility: retold the heroic
adventures of King Arthur, Charlemagne, etc.
Clergy: retold sermons and saints lives
Commoners: ballads and carols
English Language Evolved
Over 4 centuries following the Norman invasion, Germanic Anglo-Saxon language combined with Norman French
Plus, lawyers and scholars added Latin to the mix
By Chaucer’s time, this blended language is comprehensible to us
Thus, Modern English was born!
Medieval Literature Many works are lost, yet 3 types remain
Folk Ballads: song lyrics
Poems: Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer* trained in Royal court, close to powerful* well traveled throughout Europe* studied literature of France and Italy
Arthurian Legend: written by Sir Thomas Malory* one of first English books in print* 1476 Printing press came to London* Changed literature forever