 1066-1485
 1066-the
AD
year the Normans defeated the
Anglo-Saxons at the Battle of Hastings.
William the Conqueror, a Norman
(French), was now king of England.
A.
B.
C.
The Anglo-Saxon culture and
Norman/French culture blended.
Normans ruled less than 100 years.
Brought Feudalism: land divided among
noble barons. Knights served barons.
Lowest class were the serfs or peasants.
A.
B.
1154-end of Norman Rule, beginning of
Royalty
Plantaganet Rulers
1. 1st one-Henry II-increased King’s power and took it
from the barons. Wanted also to lead Roman Cath.
Ch. He had Archbishop Thomas Becket of
Canterbury murdered—1170.
2. 1215-King John singed Magna Carta. In this
document, he agreed not to raise taxes w/o consent
of barons.
3. Others-Richard the Lionhearted, John, Edward I,
Richard II (last one)
C.
Lancaster Rulers
1. 3 Kings: Henry IV, V, and VI
2. Henry VI-went insane-gave rule to uncle, Duke
of York, while he recuperated.
3. 1455-Henry VI got better, wanted throne back.
Duke fought & won-war 30 years. “War of the
Roses”
D.
York Rulers
1. 1st one-Edward IV-encouraged William Caxton
to make printing press.
2. Edward V-only 12 years old when he takes
throne. Uncle Richard III takes over-kills Ed V
and his brother-then takes the throne-Richard
III killed in battle because of this.
3. Henry Tudor takes over, distant relative of
Lancasters
A.
B.
Knights: fought French, journeyed to
Holy Lands, jousted in tournaments
Chivalry: ideal knights must live byhonorable, courteous, generous, brave,
skillful in battle, respectful to women,
helpful to weak.
A.
B.
C.
Roman Catholic Church-all belongedbarons, knights, serfs.
Knights fought for church-crusades for
Holy Land
Cathedrals were built during this time
A.
B.
C.
D.
1349-Black Death/Bubonic Plague
killed 1/3 of the people in England.
After plague-cities sprung up
everywhere.
Work Guilds formed
End of Knighthood-invention of
gunpowder
A.
B.
Romances: stories with a blend of
chivalry, touches of love, magic &
marvels.
Folk Ballads: stories sung by common
people.
Sir Gawain and the
Green Knight
• Background
• Language
• Romantic Poetry
• Poetic Elements
• Symbolism
• Key Terms
• Characters
 Author
is anonymous.
 Known
as the “Pearl Poet” because he
also wrote the poem “The Pearl”.
 Composed “Sir
Gawain and the Green
Knight” around 1370.
 Probably
a member of the court since he
is familiar with court life.
 Associated
with religion because of the
religious tone.
 King
Arthur is a legendary king who
was probably a warrior.
 No one knows if he is real or not.
 He was the head of the Knight of the
Round Table.
 In the stories, he lives in Camelot, a
fictitious place where the legends take
place.
 Like
the culture itself, Arthur is young and
inexperienced. The knights are equally
clueless.
 Knights
typically go out on adventures
and face the forces of good and evil,
uncertain how to balance bravery and
Christianity.
 As
a Christian knight, he must decide
how best to act in ambiguous situations.
 English
spoken between 1066 and about
1470
 Followed Old English, also called AngloSaxon, spoken from mid-5th century CE
• Germanic influences
 What happened in 1066?
• Norman (French: Normandy) conquest of
England
• Added French influences!
A
narrative set in the world of knights,
kings and supernatural creatures.
 Relates to and deals with King Arthur
and his court.
 Romance
1.
2.
3.
poem includes three stages:
a dangerous quest
a test of honor or courage
and a return to the point from which the
quest began.
The basic material of medieval romance is
knightly activity and adventure; we might
best define medieval romance as a story
of adventure.
Any "love
interest" is likely
to be incidental to
the story
The stories were
often woven
around a well
known figure.
The hero is
always made to
conform to
medieval
conceptions of a
knight .
Often follows the
loose pattern of a
quest.
A tale of adventure
in which knights,
kings, or
distressed ladies,
are motivated by
love, religious
faith, or the mere
desire for
adventure.
Usually set in
remote times
or places.
Involves elements
of the fantastic or
supernatural
Meter
Alliteration
Rhyme
1. He is a model of faith, loyalty, or
bravery…
2. who makes a long, difficult journey…
3. to do battle on behalf of another…
4. perhaps using his own superhuman
talents…
5. against an enemy who may himself
have or be guarded by
supernatural powers.

Alliteration
 “the repetition of usually initial consonant sounds in two or
more neighboring words or syllables.”
 “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.”
 Try it out in the first four lines of SGGK
 “Since the siege and the assault was ceased at Troy,
The walls breached and burnt down to brands and ashes,
The knight that had knotted the nets of deceit
Was impeached for his perfidy, proven most true . . .” (1-4).
Gawain’s
Colors
Seasons
Shield
 Sir
Gawain
 The Green Knight
 King Arthur
 Sir
Gawain is the main character.
 Gawain
goes into the wilderness to
face the Green Knight as he has
honorably promised. He prides
himself on being the perfect Christian
knight.
 His
shield and its symbolism remind
him to be Christ-like.
Sir Gawain’s main
opposition in the story.
He is a richly decorated
knight, who has green
skin and hair.
The king of
Camelot. Uncle of
Sir Gawain. It is at
his celebration
feast that the
Green Knight
challenges the
court to a game.
The Lord and Lady of the
Castle
Gawain spends his time
there before meeting the
Green Knight..
Use
what we have discussed
about colors to predict why the
knight is green?
What
could this color symbolize
about him?
 Characteristics
of a knight: strength,
skilled at arms and horsemanship,
courageous, loyal, and courteous.
 Sir
Gawain – a knight of the round table.
At first considered the weakest of most
insignificant knight. Volunteers to accept
a challenge from the Green Knight.
Prowess:
ability to fight
1.
Loyalty:
to God, King,
and lady
2.
3. Generosity:
includes
gift-giving and
hospitality
4. Franchise:
that "something
special" that
distinguishes a
knight; linked to
birthright
5. Courtesy:
initially
"behavior at
court," the term
emphasizes
behavior towards
a lady
Live to serve
King and
Country.
Never use a
weapon on an
opponent not
equal to the
attack.
Exhibit courage in
word and
deed.
Always keep
one's word of
honor.
Avoid deception.
Be respectful of
host, women, and
honor.
The Holiday
celebrations
take place at
King Arthur’s
castle in
Camelot. It is
here that the
Green Knight
challenges
Gawain to
exchange
blows with him.
On his quest to meet the Green Knight,
Gawain stays here for a short period of time.