Chaucer and Canterbury Tales
PERIOD 3
Religion
• (Christianizing England) Pope Gregory I sent
missionaries to convert people into Christianity, by
650 most were converted. Some people kept to the
pagan beliefs. The first monastery was on the island
of undisfarne.
• (Monasteries) Monasteries were places where people
dedicated their life to prayer lived. They encouraged
learning how to read and write in order to better
understand the Bible. Alfred the great encouraged
people to use the Old English writing instead of
Latin.
Religion
• Pilgrimages- journey to sacred sites A group of
people traveled to sacred places to worship, pray and
seek blessings from the arch bishop. The Canterbury
cathedral was one of the most important places
because Thomas A Becket the arch bishop was slain.
• (Drama)The church had people perform stories from
the bible called mystery plays. There were less
realistic plays called morality plays, they taught
moral lessons.
Chaucer Biography
 Considered the father of english literature
 Since he was a page in his royal household, he
was raised around high class people.
 Chaucer’s father was a middle-class wine
merchant
 In 1359, he fought in the 100 years war in
France
Chaucer Biography
 After being imprisoned, King Edwards paid for
his ransom
 Spent many years in public service and in
government
 Employed on diplomatic missions to France,
Spain and Italy
 Most famous works are Legend of Good
Women & Canterbury Tales
History after 1066
 King Edward died in 1066
 English council of elders chose Harold II as king.
William Duke of Normandy had claim to the
throne so William attacked and defeated the
Anglo-Saxons
 The Battle of Hastings made William the first
Norman king of England ( ended the Anglo-saxon
era)
 Hundred Year War; Plague Black Death; 14 century
dark time for England. Then the Renaissance came

History After 1066
 William(the conqueror) introduced feudalism to
England
 Land divided among; overlords/barons, knights,
and then serfs who were bound to the land
 1215 forced King John to agree to the Magna Carta
to which made him agree not to raise taxes.
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