Middle English literature emerged during a time of great change in England. The Norman Conquest, Crusades, and Black Death reshaped society, while feudalism and chivalry defined social structures. These events influenced the language and themes of medieval writing.

The Catholic Church dominated medieval life, but Renaissance ideas began to take hold. Courtly love became a popular literary theme, while the Magna Carta laid foundations for constitutional law. These cultural shifts are reflected in the literature of the period.

Historical Events

Norman Conquest and its Aftermath

• Norman Conquest of England in 1066 led by William the Conqueror
  • Resulted in significant changes to English society, language, and culture
  • Introduction of French as the language of the nobility and government
  • Establishment of a strong centralized monarchy and feudal system
• Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to and including the Norman Conquest (Battle of Hastings)
• Domesday Book commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086 to survey and record landholdings in England
• Norman architecture introduced, characterized by large stone churches and castles (Tower of London, Windsor Castle)

Crusades and their Impact

• Series of religious wars initiated by the Catholic Church between the 11th and 13th centuries
  • Aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from Muslim control
  • Increased contact between Europe and the Middle East, facilitating cultural exchange and trade
• First Crusade (1095-1099) resulted in the capture of Jerusalem and the establishment of Christian states in the Levant
• Later Crusades had mixed success and ultimately failed to maintain control of the Holy Land
• Crusades had a significant impact on European society, politics, and culture (development of chivalry, military orders)

Black Death and the Hundred Years' War

• Black Death (1347-1351) was a devastating pandemic that killed an estimated 30-60% of Europe's population
  • Spread rapidly due to trade routes and unsanitary conditions
  • Led to significant social, economic, and religious upheaval (labor shortages, rise in wages, questioning of authority)
• Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was a series of conflicts between England and France
  • Fought over territorial disputes and dynastic claims to the French throne
  • Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl, played a crucial role in the conflict, leading French troops to victory at the Siege of Orléans (1429)
  • War ended with the expulsion of the English from most of France, strengthening French national identity

Magna Carta and its Significance

• Magna Carta (1215) was a charter agreed to by King John of England and a group of rebel barons
  • Established the principle that the king was subject to the law and had to respect the rights of free men
  • Laid the foundation for the development of constitutional law and limited monarchy in England
• Magna Carta's influence extended beyond England, inspiring legal and political reforms in other countries
• Key principles of the Magna Carta include due process, trial by jury, and protection against arbitrary imprisonment

Social and Cultural Influences

Feudalism and Chivalry

• Feudalism was a social and economic system based on land ownership and loyalty
  • Kings granted land (fiefs) to nobles in exchange for military service and loyalty
  • Nobles, in turn, granted land to knights and peasants who worked the land and provided labor
• Chivalry was a code of conduct associated with the medieval knightly class
  • Emphasized virtues such as courage, honor, loyalty, and courtly love
  • Arthurian legends, such as those written by Chrétien de Troyes, exemplified chivalric ideals (Knights of the Round Table, quest for the Holy Grail)

Courtly Love and Medieval Literature

• Courtly love was a literary and social concept that emerged in the 12th century
  • Emphasized the nobility of love and the devotion of a knight to his lady
  • Often involved idealized, unrequited love and the performance of heroic deeds to win the lady's favor
• Courtly love had a significant influence on medieval literature, particularly in the works of troubadours and trouvères (Provençal and French poets)
• Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" (late 14th century) includes stories that reflect courtly love ideals (The Knight's Tale)

The Medieval Church and Renaissance Influences

• The Catholic Church played a dominant role in medieval society, shaping religious beliefs, education, and politics
  • Monasteries served as centers of learning, preserving classical texts and producing religious works (illuminated manuscripts)
  • The Church's power and wealth grew throughout the Middle Ages, leading to tensions with secular authorities
• The Renaissance, which began in Italy in the 14th century, had a gradual influence on English culture
  • Characterized by a revival of classical learning, humanism, and artistic innovation
  • The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1440) facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas
  • The works of Italian writers such as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio influenced English authors (Chaucer, Shakespeare)