The Middle Ages

1066 - Duke William of Normandy invades England killing the last of the Anglo-Saxon kings.

Normans brought:Administrative abilityEmphasis on law and orderAnd cultural unity to the Anglo-Saxons more democratic and artistic tendencies

Domesday BookInventory of every piece of property in EnglandCreated by William IFirst time in European history that people could be taxed based on what they ownedIt was written by an observer of the survey that "there was no single hide nor a yard of land, nor indeed one ox nor one cow nor one pig which was left out".

The Norman Conquest helped to bring England into the mainstream of European civilization.

FeudalismCaste, property and military pyramid system based on a religious concept of hierarchyGodRoyaltyNobility barons, dukes, earls, etc.KnightsClergy Serfs

VassalFeudal tenantSubject or retainer

Primary duty of males above a serf was military service to their lords.

Since feudalism was a military systemWomen could not be warriors so they had no political rights Women were always subservient to a man whether it be a husband, father or brotherA womans social standing depended completely on her husband or father

ChivalryBrought about by feudalismA system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights and gentlewomen

Chivalry CodesAdhering to ones oath of loyalty to the overlordObserving rules of warfareAdoring a particular lady was a means of self-improvement

Chivalry CodesThe Ten Commandments of the Code of ChivalryFrom Chivalry by Leon GautierThou shalt believe all that the Church teaches, and shalt observe all its directions. Thou shalt defend the Church. Thou shalt repect all weaknesses, and shalt constitute thyself the defender of them. Thou shalt love the country in the which thou wast born. Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy. Thou shalt make war against the Infidel without cessation, and without mercy. Thou shalt perform scrupulously thy feudal duties, if they be not contrary to the laws of God. Thou shalt never lie, and shall remain faithful to thy pledged word. Thou shalt be generous, and give largess to everyone. Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.

The Code of ChivalryFrom the Rifts: England Supplement

Live to serve King and Country. Live to defend Crown and Country and all it holds dear. Live one's life so that it is worthy of respect and honor. Live for freedom, justice and all that is good. Never attack an unarmed foe. Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack. Never attack from behind. Avoid lying to your fellow man. Avoid cheating. Avoid torture. Obey the law of king, country, and chivalry. Administer justice. Protect the innocent. Exhibit self control. Show respect to authority. Respect women. Exhibit Courage in word and deed.

Defend the weak and innocent. Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms. Crush the monsters that steal our land and rob our people. Fight with honor. Avenge the wronged. Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause. Fight for the ideals of king, country, and chivalry. Die with valor. Always keep one's word of honor. Always maintain one's principles. Never betray a confidence or comrade. Avoid deception. Respect life and freedom. Die with honor. Exhibit manners. Be polite and attentive. Be respectful of host, women, and honor. Loyalty to country, King, honor, freedom, and the code of chivalry. Loyalty to one's friends and those who lay their trust in thee.

Courtly LoveNonsexualSupposed to make a knight braver and better by revering and acting in the name of a ladyExample= wearing a ladys colors in battle

Courtly Love Gone WrongSir Lancelot and Guinevere

CitiesBrought about new classes lower, middle and upper-middlePeople were free, not tied to the land or knighthoodLed to peoples art ballads, mystery and miracle playsLed to cathedrals and municipal buildings

CrusadesSeries of wars by European Christians against Muslims with Jerusalem and the Holy Land as the prizeExposed English people to Eastern math, astronomy, architecture and crafts

Thomas a BecketMurdered in his own cathedral by King Henrys knightsLed to a backlash against the kingThe king lost all power in the Roman ChurchState became powerless to correct widespread corruption

Medieval ChurchFostered cultural unityContinued as a center of learning

Magna Carter (The Great Charter) 1215English barons forced King John to sign to curb the churchs powerBecame the basis for English constitutional law

Hundred Years War (1337 1453)First national war between England and FranceEngland lost to FranceThe English began to think of themselves as British instead of Anglo-Norman

YeomanSmall landownerGave birth to modern democratic England

Black Death1348 - 1349Bubonic plague spread by fleas from infected ratsKilled 1/3 of the populationCaused labor shortageGave lower class more leverageLed to the end of feudalism