Middle Ages – Background Notes
1066 – 1485
1. William, Duke of Normandy defeated Harold, King of England in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings.
2. William believed he had a right to the throne because the old King Edward, the Confessor
promised to name him his heir when he died childless. Instead, Harold was given the crown, and
William chose to fight.
3. One of the great administrative feats was an inventory of nearly every piece of property in England
(land, cattle, buildings). It was called the Domesday Book.
4. For the first time, people could be taxed on what they owned.
5. The Norman landowners brought a new type of social system, feudalism.
Feudalism and Knighthood: Pyramid Power
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Feudalism was a caste system, a property system, and a military system.
In Feudalism, God is the supreme overlord.
Beneath the king were vassals, who were awarded land in return for their economic or military allegiance.
The next 2 portions of the system were the landless knights and the serfs, who were not free.
Why didn’t the feudal system always work? If the overlord was weak, his vassals may choose not to honor his
obligations.
6. How did knights ensure that the training of their sons would be strict? They were trained in households other
than their own.
A Terrible Worm in an Iron Cocoon
1. Why was it necessary for knights to wear armor? Protection from some of the more powerful weapons
used: axes, maces, crossbows…etc.
2. How much could some suits of armor weight? Up to 65 additional lbs.
3. What caused the armor to no longer be an effective means of protecting the knight? Longbow
Women in Medieval Society: No Voice, No Choice
1. What determined the degree of respect that the woman received? Her husband or father’s standing
The New City Classes: Out from Under the Overlords
1. The feudal system was only successful when society centered around the castle. Eventually,
overpopulation would render this caste system obsolete. The development of the city classes - lower,
middle, and upper is evident in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.
2. Most of the medieval art is not aristocratic, it is middle class. The people of the cities were free, tied
neither to the land nor to knighthood and chivalry. Their point of view was expressed in the ballads sung
in alehouses and at firesides…
The Great Happenings
The Crusades
1. The Crusades (1096 - 1270) were a series wars waged by European Christians against the Muslims, with
Jerusalem and the Holy Land as the prize.
2. Although the Europeans ultimately failed, they were exposed to mathematics, astronomy, architecture,
and crafts.
The martyrdom of Thomas à Becket
1. Thomas, a Norman, had risen to power as chancellor under his friend King Henry II.
2. The king appointed Thomas as archbishop of Canterbury, hoping to gain the upper hand in disputes with
the Church (up until now, English Christians belonged to the Catholic Church. As head of the church, the
pope was extremely powerful and controlled most of the crowned heads of Europe.)
3. Thomas, unfortunately, chose to take the pope’s side in the dispute, and in December of 1170 the king
possibly misspoke. In a fit of rage he said, “Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest.” Four knights
took his words literally and murdered Thomas on the steps of the cathedral.
4. Thomas was made a martyr, and a distrust of the king and the English church caused significant
problems.
The Magna Carta
1. Signed by King John in 1215, the Magna Carta (the “Great Charter”) allowed England to return to older,
democratic tendencies.
2. The English barons forced the king to sign the document, which became the basis for English
constitutional law. Such rights as trial by jury and legislative taxation were established.
The Hundred Years’ War
1. The war was actually 116 years, not 100.
2. The war was fought by King Edward III and King Henry V against the French throne.
3. After the war, the English were no longer represented by the knight in shining armor. Instead, they were
represented by yeoman (small landowner) with his longbow.
4. Their arrows could fly over castle walls and pierce the armor of knights.
The Black Death
1. also known as Bubonic Plague
2. Spread by fleas from infected rats, the disease reduced the nation’s population by 1/3.
3. One long-term result was the serfs’ freedom because there was such a labor shortage.
Castles
1. Romanesque architecture is known by its massive quality, its thick walls, round arches, square pillars, a
vault or ceiling created by the intersection of vaults, large towers and decorative arcading.
2. Each building has clearly defined forms and they are frequently of very regular, symmetrical plan so that
the overall appearance is one of simplicity when compared with the Gothic buildings that were to follow.
Romance characterized by:
1. Medieval romance usually idealizes chivalry
2. Medieval romance Idealizes the hero-knight and his noble deeds
3. An important element of the medieval romance is the knight's love for his lady.
4. The settings of medieval romance tend to be imaginary and vague.
5. Medieval romance derives mystery and suspense from supernatural elements.
6. Medieval romance uses concealed or disguised identity.
7. Repetition of numbers (especially the number 3)
Characteristics of the Hero-Knight:
1. Birth of a great hero is shrouded in mystery
2. He is reared away from his true home in ignorance of his real parents.
3. For a time his true identity is unknown
4. After meeting an extraordinary challenge, he claims his right
5. His triumph benefits his nation or group.