History Review throughThe Middle English Period

Michael Cheng National Chengchi University

Kings of EnglandNORMANSWilliam I1066-1087William II1087-1100Henry I1100-1135Stephen1135-1154Empress Matilda1141(Queen Maud)

PLANTAGENETSHenry II1154-1189Richard I1189-1199John1199-1216Henry III1216-1272Edward I1272-1307Edward II1307-1327Edward III1327-1377Richard II1377-1399

French is the prestige languageUsed in government, literature, and by the nobilityThe kings all spent time in Normandy and married Norman wivesFrench was their first language

Stephen1135-1154 vs. Empress Matilda1141Henry I son died in a shipwreck, so he settled on passing the crown to his daughter.Matilda was already a widow, and remarried to the young French Count of Anjou.Many barons rejected her and supported Henrys nephew Stephen instead.Civil war ensued until a compromise was reached: Stephen would remain king, but his heir would be Matildas child.

History Review: Henry II 1154-1189Henry marries Eleanor of Aquitaine in 1152He becomes King Henry II of England two years later.Henry grew up in France and spent most of his time there while he was king.

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

From H. Littlefield, 2006

History Review: Richard I1189-1199Left for a crusade in 1189Imprisoned on his way home in 1192Did not return until 1194 John lost Normandy while Richard was away.Richard waged war on France. Died from an arrow wound.

History Review: John1199-1216Called John Lackland and John SoftswordArthur, the son of his older brother contested his right to the throne

History Review: John1199-1216Brittany, Maine, and Anjou declared for ArthurArthur was supported by Philip II, the King of FrancePhilip switches his support to John after John swears vassalage to Philip

History Review: John1199-12161200 John meets 12(14?) year old Isabelle d'Angoulme, the Helen of the middle ages.John annuls his marriage, Isabelle breaks her engagement, and the two marryHer betrothed complains to the king of France.Philip summons his vassal to the French court. John ignores the summons Philip seizes Normandy

Loss of English territory in France1204/5 Philip seizes land of French barons living in England. John seizes the land of English barons living in France. Nobles must choose which side to pledge allegiance to.

History Review: John1199-1216John taxes the people to wage war against FranceUpset barons rebel (First Barons War) and force John to sign the Magna Carta

History Review: John1199-1216Loss of Normandy separates England from the continent and the English language grows in importance. English nobles no longer have a reason to consider themselves to also be French.

History Review: Henry III1216-12729 years old at start of reign1233 dismisses English advisors1236 marries Eleanor of ProvenceBrought in many French advisors, who are hated by the English nobles.

History Review: Henry III1216-1272Barons revolt against Henry1258-1265 Second Barons War1258 Provisions of Oxford set up a council of 24 men to oversee the appointments of the king. This decree was published in Latin, French, and English.

Nobles no longer learning French natively. About 1250 Walter of Bibbesworth writes a treatise to teach noble children French.

History Review: Edward I1272-1307English grows in importance to the nobles1295 to rally support for his war against France, Edward addressed parliament and said that the King of France wishes to wipe out the English tongue

History Review: Edward II 1307-1327By the end of the 13th century, monasteries at Canterbury and Westminster need to require that their students use FrenchOxford U requires its students to know French and English

Historical Map of France in 1314 - Prior to the Hundred Years' War

History Review: Edward III1327-13771337 The Hundred Years War against France beginsEnglish victories:1346 Crecy1356 Poiters1415 Agincourt ( lead by Henry V)

Historical Map of France in 1360 - After the First English Invasion

History Review: Edward III1327-1377War with France decreases commercial contact with France, lessening the need to know FrenchFeelings of nationalism promote the use of English among the people1332 Parliament decrees nobles should teach their children French

History Review: Edward III1327-13771356 Mayor and Aldermen of London order court proceeding to be done in English1362 Chancellor opens Parliament in English1344-1400 Chaucer

History Review: Edward III1327-13771348-1350 The Black Plague30% of population died causing a labor shortage1351 Statute of LaborersYou could not leave your lordYou could not be paid more

History Review: Richard II1377-13991381 Peasants revolt: Wat Tylers rebellionPeasant class becomes more importantEnglish rises in importance

http://nameberry.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Empress_matilda.jpghttp://usna.edu/Users/history/abels/hh315/chronology%20950-1350.htm1120 Wreck of the White Ship. King Henry I of Englands only legitimate son drowns, leaving Henrys daughter the Empress Matilda (wife of Emperor Henry V of Germany) as his only legitimate offspring (he has dozens of bastards). In 1125 the Emperor Henry V died leaving a Matilda a young widow. She returned to England and Henry compelled his baronsincluding her cousin Stephen of Bloisto take an oath that they would support her succession to the throne. To secure peace between Normandy and Anjou (the greatest threat to Normandy), Henry arranged a marriage in 1128 to his 26 year old daughter to the 15 year old Geoffrey Plantagenet, then count of Maine and heir apparent to his father the count of Anjou. This is the back story to the King Stephen-Queen Matilda civil war that would wrack England between 1137 and 1153.

http://www.britainexpress.com/History/Stephen_and_Maud.htmStephen and Maud. Henry I's son and heir, also named Henry, died in the wreck of the "White Ship" while returning from France. Henry then settled his inheritance on Matilda (Maud), his daughter. Many barons, disliking the idea of being ruled by a woman, or perhaps trying to expand their own power, threw their support behind Henry's nephew Stephen. Stephen and Maud played cat and mouse with the throne for 19 years of civil war. At one point Stephen was captured but had to be exchanged for Maud's military commander. Maud actually gained the seat of power in London, but she so enraged the inhabitants by her arrogance that the city rose in arms and she had to flee. Maud's Escapes. Maud had a couple of thrilling escapes from Stephen's men during the fighting. In 1141 she escaped from Devizes tied to a funeral bier as a corpse. The next year she escaped from besieged Oxford Castle, being let over the walls on a rope. Her white cloak blended with the snow and she was able to slip through Stephen's troops to safety. End of the Civil War. Eventually a sensible compromise was reached between the two parties. Stephen was to have the throne for the rest of his life after which it would revert to Maud's son, Henry. This time of anarchy was, curiously, also one of tremendous ecclesiastical building, and many surviving parish churches date from the period of Stephen's reign. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/34/Henry_II_of_England.png

http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/photolib/maps/Map%20of%20Possessions%20of%20Henry%20II%201956.jpg

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