Medieval Period“The Middle Ages”

1066-1485

The history of our English Language can be divided into 3 periods:

1. Old English (before 1066)2. Middle English (1066-1485)3. Modern English (1485-present)

Language in Transition“Middle Ages”

Around the year 1000, Old English pronunciation changed when distinct vowel sounds at the ends of words were being dropped.

Middle English differed from Old English in its greater reliance upon fewer plural forms.

Language in Transition“Middle Ages”

Middle English was a more analytical language.

Stressed word order/syntax Incorporated “function” words—verbs

French Invade EnglandOctober of 1066

Leading Normandy was Duke William or “William the Conqueror”, who defeated and killed the last Anglo-Saxon king. This was the beginning of the Norman Conquest.

Norman Conquest

The Norman Conquest radically changed:

English History English Character English Language

William the Conqueror is known for three accomplishments:

1. Creating the Domesday Book which was an inventory of every piece of property in England.

2. Bringing the French language to England Creating a bilingual society Upper-Class: spoke French Lower-Class: spoke English

3. Social System known as Feudalism

Feudalism & Knighthood

Feudalism Religious concept of hierarchy.

GOD

KING BARON

VASSAL

KNIGHTS SERFS

2 Major impacts on England as a result of the Feudal System: Form and Manners

Form—better known as knighthood. The institution of knighthood was firmly

based on the ideas of loyalty.

We will see this clearly in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

He is honor-bound to accept a challenge that he knows

could bring death.

2nd major impact that the feudal system had on England:

Manners Code of Chivalry—Courtly Love

A system of ideas and behavior codes that governed both knight

and gentlewoman.

Three aspects that make up the Code of Chivalry

1. Loyalty to Lord Your oath, honor, and

respect went directly to your lord.

2. Warfare Rule Idea of Fairness

3. Courtly Love Men--mostly the knights--

idolized women. They would show this by wearing the colors of their lady in battle, to glorify her. This love for a woman was thought to make the knight a better fighter. They were inspired by women.

ROMANCE

Courtly Love provided ‘built-in’ drama for a poet or storyteller.

It brought about the form of literature known as a ROMANCE: a medieval story in verse form in which a brave knight must overcome great danger for the love of a noble lady or higher idea.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Composed around 1370

An unknown author transformed the popular romance into great art.

An alliterative romance poem. (Legend)

Basic narrative pattern of a romance:

1. Hero

2. Quest—in which the hero undertakes a perilous journey in search of something of great value.

3. Supernatural event

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

In Sir Gawain you will see the pull of sexual temptation and of life in the medieval castle.

Gawain is the model of the chivalric hero whose character is being tested on:

Courage Fidelity Morality

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Purpose of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: teach us a moral lesson.

Theme: To achieve nobility human beings must rely on the constant practice of a number of virtues such as:

Courage Honesty Self-sacrifice

Setting (time)The mythical past of King Arthur’s Court.

Setting (place)Camelot; the wilderness; Bertilak’s castle; the Green

Chapel.

MotifsThe seasons; games

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight