the french influence in the aftermath of the norman conquest

the northman

descended from the Norwegian Vikings, raided the French northern coast mainly from Denmark in the early 10th century and settled in the penisula of Normandy

Normans and Christianity

they had become christians known for their piety. They adopted French language and French legal concepts and social customs. The Norman dialect of French became an important literary language

Normans and their roots

at the same time they continued the martial traditions of their Viking ancestors

Normans after the Battle of Hastings (11th century)

They settled in England and replaced Anglo-Saxons as the country’s ruling class

At the same time they also conquered southern Italy (Romanesque architecture and music tradition)

England and Normandy

Many Kings were also dukes of Normandy until 13th century.

The Bayeux tapestry

long embrided cloth

depicts the Norman conquest of England

William Duke of Normandy vs. Harold II

Battle of Hastings

made in England but told from the POV of Normans

Normans fighting on horsebacks while England fighting on foot

Battle won by the strenght of cavalry

the norman impact on the English language and literature

Normans in England spoke the Anglo-Norman dialect of French (language used at court)

literature created not only in English and Latin but also in Anglo-Norman French

Middle English

Many French words were absorbed into Anglo-Saxon English helping to create (along with the Norse language of the early settlers and the Latin used by church) a new form of English: Middle English which eventually transformed into Modern English

lanuage in literature

alliterative verse was replaced by rhymed verse used in France. Especially octosyllabic couplets

English literature was shaped by French literary conventions.

Genres of chanson de geste (epic poems celebrating the deeds of knights)

Courtly/chivalric romance and love lyrics that were popular in France

themes of chivalry and love appear

chivalry

knightly conduct, it rules were in books of chivalry. Displayed on battlefield, especially during the tournaments, single combat-jousting and group fight-melee

knight

a man who customarily rides upon his horse. French: chevalier. He was loyal to his master like his horse. Rich enough to be equipped with horse, armour, suitable clothes

order of roles before becoming a knight

typically entered the service of king or a prince as a carver, server of the dishes or page, then became a squire (apprentice soldier), was accepted to the service through a knighting/dubbing ceremony.

characteristics of a knight

accompaning his lord and fellow knights on expeditions,

should be noble with virtues like prudence, generosity and mercy

knight-errant: wandering in search of military adventures

Policraticus by John of Salisbury

duties of the knights are:

defending the church

protecting the poor and the weak

pacifying province

sacrify their lives for others if there’s need

act accordingly to God’s orders

Knights who follow these rules are saints

chanson de geste

song of heroic deeds

a part of Anglo-Norman culture

In Old English heroes fight for their secular master, in Norman English they fight for God in defense of Christianity

Chanson de Roland/Song of Roland

example of chanson de geste

aftermath of the first or the second crucade. The main theme is Christian Muslim confrontation in Spain

tells the story of internal conflict and treachery, massacre of great knights and ultimate victory

Song of Roland summary

Conflict of Christian army of the Franks under Charlemagne and the Saracens Muslim forces in Spain

Saracen King Marsile wants to decept Charlemagne and says that he will convert to Christianity if they leave Spain.

Roland believes that the enemy is lying while his godfather Ganelon trusts Marsile. Ganelon goes to negotiate the peace and betrays Charlemagne and Roland in exchange for peace.

He returns with keys to Saragossa

Ganelon insists that Roland and his friend Oliver return by a different road. Oliver spots the ambush and warns Roland insisting to blow a horn to call for help. Roland refuses believing that the Christians will win.

Roland blows his horn. mm okay. Charlemagne thinks he hears something but Ganelon denies. Oliver and Roland are mortally wounded. Roland rises his hands and tries to break his sword Durendal. Angels carry his soul to heaven

Ganelon’s treachery is discovered and they tear him apart. Archangel Gabriel calls on Charles to go on a new crusade.

courtly love

modern term for medieval refined loving

courtly love as a theme in

the love lyrics composed and performed by musicians poets in Sothern France. (the troubadours)

Breton lays

courtly romance: Chretien de Troyes

Main types of love lyrics

Lyrical confessions of love

Lovers complaints

Serenade

Pastourelle/Pastorella

Aubade/alba

Blazon

Serenade

(evening song performed by a lover by his lover’s window)

Pastourelle/Pastorella

a knight is riding outdoor meets a maiden/shepheress, tries to seduce her but she is coy, defeats him in a battle of wit and eventually either departs or make love with him

Aubade/alba

lovers reluctantly separate at dawn after a night spent together

Blazon

a catalogue of female’s beloved characteristics

breton lays

a kind of concentrated mini-romances focusing on a single action,

Introduced by Marie de France

focus on erotic love and analysis of associated emotions

contains strong supernatural elements, enchantment

examples of english breton lays

sir Orfeo, based on a myth of Orpheus and Eurydice.

King Orfeo ruling from Winchester loses his wife Heurodis to the king of Faery. He wins her back through his beautiful harping, the tragic ending of a tale is changed to a happy ending.

Franklin’s Tale G.Chaucer

Marie de France

Born in France but lived in Anglo-Norman England

major French writer known at the court of Queen Eleanor and Henry II

polyglot: Latin, English, Breton

author of Fables

her most famous work is the collection of Lais: oral stories translated from Breton

chivalric romance

evolved from the epic and martial chansons de geste by adding to them:

-theme of love and chivalry

-the elements of magic and enchantement

-images of effective royal rule, inheritance, lineage, royal stewardship, conquest, empire building

chivalric romance principal traits

wealthy, sophisticated leisure woman centered society of Northern France

reflects, celebrates and confirms chivalric values by which the knights aspired to live

good side of chivalry, doesn’t show the dark side of wars

soon became popular in Anglo-Norman England and all over Europe

plot is a series of biographical elements of knightly life

octosyllabic couplets

political dimension of chivalric romance

romances reflected the Anglo-Norman political ambitions of aristocracy

through romances, especially French about Alexander the Great, king Henry II reflected himself as new emperors

Henry styled himself as a new Alexander and had a taste for romances set in ancient Troy and Rome

3 principal matters of romances

classified by the french poet Jean Bodel according to their settings and subjects

The Matter of Rome the Great

romances set in Greco-Roman antiquity, at the court of Troy, Athens, Thebes, Rome, ancient heroes and conquerors

The Matter of France

romances set in court of Charlemagne, about him and his 12 peers fighting against infidels

The Matter of Britain

romances set in celtic Britain, recounting the adventures of King Arthur and Round Table

The Matter of England

Added later, romances about native english or northern heroes

The Matter of Araby

romances with oriental setting

auchinleck manuscript

famous for containing a large number of romances

Northrop Fry and seasons

romance as summer