The Medieval Period Study Guide

Battle of Hastings

1066: Harold of England was defeated by William the Conquer of Normandy in a systematic invasion for William to succeed the English throne. Recorded by the Bayeux Tapestry.

King Edward the Confessor Died without an heir, these are his potential successors

Harold (brother in law)

William Duke of Normandy (cousin)

Harold Hardrada (King of Norway

Edgar Atheling (Great Nephew)

Bayeux Tapestry

a large, hand made tapestry that is a primary source for the Battle of Hasting

What happened to the Norman and Anglo-Saxon Cultures in England

The Norman and Anglo-Saxon elements fused into English character. Angelo Saxons adapted Norman culture to raise up their ranks.

The Feudal System

used to divide up Englands land for Williams followers and soldiers. It is a complicated system at landholding where no one owned land independently but by overlord, who by king controlled the entire land available. Elaborate chain of loyalties paid in military services where peasants worked the land for the overlords.

The Domesday Book

Complete inventory of all properties (book of judgements) to help combat internal fights over land with lists of owners and the extent of the land.

Role of the Medieval Church

The church crossed physical and language barriers to unite the society of Western Europe. Every person was responsible for the church. The church was dominant in teaching and writing manuscripts

Latin is

the educated persons language at this time

Medieval Society Farming:

farmers worked on the fields of feudal manor and owed allegiance to the Lord. Farming became less important than herding.

Medieval Society: The Wool Industry

English sheep is greater than all other European wool so farmers turned fields into pastures for profit. Many people became herders or worked in wool industry. Small mill cottages, spinning, weaving, dyeing became popular

Medieval Period: Construction

the increase in the wool industry led to city growth and resulted in construction. Additionally, as more people moved to cities, the merchant of trade class grew. The construction specialty at the time was cathedrals which were made with the help of carpenters and journeymen. Many guilds (or groups) also contributed between stonecutters, masons, glass blowers, etc.

Habeas Corpus

legal procedure that keeps the government from holding you in prison without a cause. (Jury system was started in this period).

Common Law

law that is common to the whole county and its people that developed from common usage.

Law of primogeniture

gave firstborn son exclusive right to inherit his father’s titles, lands, and estate. Still technically a rule in England today.

Ordeals

people’s innocent or guilt was settled by tasks like walking on hot coals, the burning of your hand, or public drowning. If you survive or healed and the ordeal was successful, you would be deemed innocent. Thought the outcomes of these situations were from a DIVINE presence.

Magna Carta (Or Great Charter)

a legal document signed by King John of England in 1215. Explained that taxes levied by the King have to go through the Barons consent which constitutes to modern Checks and Balances.

The Crusades

9+ from 1095-1272: Were fought to try and take back holy land from the Turks like the cities of Jerusalem and Constantinople

Benefits of the Crusades for Medieval Europe

Christian Europe was exposed to Arabic culture, especially mathematics and medicine

Commercial and intellectual horizons expanded

Knowledge and Refinement brought back from the East

Encouraged the ideal of true Knightly behavior (Chivalry).

Chivalry

an honor code of knights to show respect and gallantly towards women and their superiors.

The Knights Templar

an organization that was heavily involved in the Crusades and provided safe passage for pilgrims going to the holy lands (the police of pilgrimages.)

The Hundred Years’ War

English monarchy never voluntarily relinquished its hold on its French possessions. Numerous costly wars in France. England lost but gained fame from their infantries long-bows and newer weapons technology.

The War of the Roses

(1455-1485) a scurmish between the House of York (white rose) and the House of Lancester (Red Rose) for the throne of England that eventually ended with uniting the families through marriage.

Romance to the Anglo-Normans

tales of chivalry with an added love interest and marvels like elves and fairies.

Came from France, Britain, and Rome and brought cultures together in stories while promoting written languages

Geoffrey Chaucer

First Great Figure in English Literature

Quite skeptical about romance of the day and was a modern novelist for the time period

Great poet, storyteller and humorist

Makes his points through satire without being anonymous

Was one of the first to write in Middle English

Ballads

oral songs that combine cultural and local storytelling based on German poets and romantisicists like Horder and the English romantic movement. Many of the works were anonymous and not written down.

Miracle Plays

rough dramatizations of biblical stories, on platforms reacted in the market place. Evil characters tended to be played as comic characters

Morality Plays

tended to be elaborate with dramatic allegories and revelations of vices and virtues. Most famous one from that time was Everyman. Lessons on morality.