Name:____________________________________________________
Mrs. McDonald’s 12th Grade English Class
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales
Pre-reading Questions
Directions: Please type the answers to these questions directly onto this document and print
when completed.
1. The Middle Ages span what years?
2. What event began the Norman Conquest?
3. Who was William the Conqueror?
4. What is feudalism?
5. When did the feudal structure break down?
6. What would eventually render the feudal system obsolete? Explain.
7. What is chivalry?
8. What is courtly love?
9. What were the crusades?
10. How did they impact medieval life?
11. Who is Thomas a Becket? Why do you think he was important?
12. Describe the state of the Church in the Middle Ages.
13. What is the Magna Carta? What historical impact did it have?
14. When was the Hundred Years’ War? Who fought? Why is it important?
Answer the following questions about your specific character from The Canterbury Tales:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Where do you live?
Where do you work? Do you work?
What challenges do you face on a daily basis? Or do you face any at all?
What is your family life like?
How do you feel about the world around you?
Do you have specialized training?
What do you value? Describe your morals.