Medieval Background Notes



Medieval Background NotesDirections: Read pages 28-33 in your literature book to answer the following questions.Historical ContextWith the Norman Conquest, England entered the medieval period, a time of innovation in the midst of war.The MonarchyWhat kind of king was William the Conqueror after he took full control of England? He was a powerful, well-organized, and determined to exert his authority down to the smallest detailWhat is the Domesday Book? Tax record of every piece of property ownedWhat 3 things did Henry II do to England that made a lasting impression?1. Set up royal courts throughout the country3. Form English law out of centuries-old practices2. Establish a series of juriesWhat did John try to do to Richard the Lion-Hearted? He plotted against himDescribe the kind of king that John was. He was treacherous, bad-tempered, quarreled with nobles, and raised taxesWhat is the Magna Carta (Great Charter) and when was it signed? Document that limited royal authority by granting more powers to the barons. It was signed in 1215.War and PlagueWhat countries fought the Hundred Years’ War? France and EnglandWhat did the Black Death or bubonic plague do to England? Killed off 1/3 of the populationWho are the two rival families that laid claim to the English throne? The Yorks and the LancastersWhat name was used for the fighting and what was the symbol for each family?Name: War of the RosesHouse of York symbol: White RoseHouse of Lancaster symbol: Red RoseWhat ended the fighting between the two families and marked the end of the Medieval Period or Middle Ages? The War of the Roses when Henry Tudor, House of Lancaster, killed Richard IIICultural InfluencesMedieval literature is best understood in the context of three powerful influences on medieval society: feudalism, the church, and a code of conduct called chivalry.The Feudal SystemDefine feudalism: Political and economic system that William the Conqueror introduced To England after Norman ConquestWhat is the premise or idea of feudalism? King owns all of the land in the kingdomHow was the land divided according to William? ? goes to William; ? goes to the Church; rest divided among the baronsDescribe the role of the warriors or knights. Loyal to the baronsWhat is the order of the social ladder?KINGS BARONS KNIGHTS SERFSThe Power of the ChurchWhat was the one exception to the hierarchy of the feudal system? The ChurchList all of the powers that the Church possessed.1. Imposed taxes3. Ran its own courts2. Made its own laws4. Kept kings and nobles in lineWho is Thomas a Becket and what happened to him? Archbishop to Henry II who was more interested in the affairs of the Church instead of monarchyChivalry and Courtly LoveDuring what king’s reign was chivalry and courtly love popular? Henry II Who brought courtly love and chivalry to England and where did it originate? Eleanor of Aquitaine from FranceDefine chivalry: Code of honor intended to govern knightly behaviorList all of the things that knights are supposed to possess.1. generous5. honorable2. brave6. defend the weak3. honest7. battle evil4. pious (devout, religious)8. uphold goodWhat were the Crusades? Military expeditions by European Christians who attempted to take Jerusalem from Muslim controlDescribe courtly love: proper conduct of a love affairDid chivalry and courtly love exist in real life? YES or NOLiterature of the TimesMedieval works, such as The Canterbury Tales and the Arthurian romances, drew from many sources, historical and contemporary, while reflecting the society and ideals of their time.The Age of ChaucerWho is known as the “Father of English literature”? Geoffrey ChaucerWhat is Chaucer’s best known piece of work? The Canterbury TalesWhat 3 abilities did The Canterbury Tales show of Chaucer?1. storyteller3. sharp eye detail2. keen sense of humor Describe the premise of the story. Stories of a group of pilgrims going on a journey to Canterbury who tell tales on the wayDefine frame story (p. R111): a frame story exists when a story is told within a narrative setting or frame—story within a storyHow do we find out about the different characters in the story? Revealed through the stories they tell and their reactions to one another’s talesWhat kind of characters are in the tales? They represent all members of British societyWhy is it important that The Canterbury Tales were written in everyday English? It elevated English to level of Latin or GreekMedieval RomanceWhat represent the social order and ideals of the Middle Ages? Medieval romanceWhat were the events that plagued England during the Middle Ages? Plaques, political battles and civil unrestWho is the character of King Arthur most likely modeled after and what did this person do? Arturius and he fought Caesar’s armyWhy were the stories of older folk legends updated during this time period? To reflect current notions of chivalryWhat did the “new tales” focus on? Used Arthur and his court as a backdrop for stories about knights who go through trials and perform great feats in the service of a ladyChaucer Style (p. 140-141)Key TermsDefine narrative (p. R115): any type of writing that is primarily concerned with relating an event or series of eventsList the types of Medieval narratives: ballads, romances, allegories, moral talesWhat are the themes of these narratives? Religious, love, exemplary life and behavior, political and society issuesDefine imagery (p. R112): words or phrases that create vivid sensory experiences for the readerDefine figurative language (p. R110): Language that communicates ideas beyond the literal meaning of wordsHow does Chaucer use imagery and figurative language effectively in The Canterbury Tales? To describe his characters’ physical appearanceDefine irony (p. R115) contrast between expectation and realityHow does Chaucer use irony in The Canterbury Tales? Calling attention to his characters’ faults while emphasizing their humanityDefine characterization (p. R107) techniques that writers use to develop charactersHow does show the difference between his characters in The Canterbury Tales? By the type of story he or she tells and the voice in which each tale is toldBallads (p. 216)Define ballad (p. R106) narrative poem that was originally intended to be sungWhy were ballads popular? Because many people could not read or writeHow were ballads passed from generation to generation? OrallyWhat were the subjects of ballads?1. tragic love5. exploits of enterprising outlaws2. domestic conflicts6. historical events3. disastrous wars and shipwrecks7. romantic heroes of an earlier chivalrous age4. sensational crimesWhat were the themes of ballads? 1. revenge4. betrayal2. rebellion5. superstition3. envyList the conventions of ballads. 1. tragic or sensational subject matter2. a simple plot involving a single incident3. dialogueDefine quatrain (p. R118) a four-line stanza Define dialect (p. R108) particular variety of language spoken in one place by a distinct group of people ................
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