The Middle Ages Approximately 500-1500 AD After the fall of Rome/before the

Renaissance “The Dark Ages” No Central Government Church the only unifying element Feudalism Illiteracy Literature preserved by monks

Courtly Tradition (Chivalry)Courtly Love…

NOT to be confused with Courtney Love

Nothing to do with marriage Often between a knight and

the wife of someone else Is where modern love

evolved from

The Norman Conquest William The Conqueror in 1066 Anglo-Saxons now served the French Thousands of borrowed words from the

French (“pork” and “pig”) Shift from Old to Middle English—much

less complex Mixed cultures-Folklore and legends of

French mixed with English Le Morte D’Arthur incorporated French

stories

Sir Thomas Malory Personal life very different from knightly

virtues of works Was frequently in trouble with the Norman

authorities Accused of robbery, extortion, attempted

murder and rape (of a nun) Jailed several times. Once broke jail by

swimming a moat

Sir Thomas Malory He was excluded from four general pardons Made powerful enemies by not submitting to

Norman rule Wrote Le Morte d’Arthur while in prison Did not write the first King Arthur story, but it’s

the most popular Was attempting to create a rallying point for

British people Made prose acceptable as an art form

Courtly Tradition (Chivalry)A knight must…

Be absolutely loyal to his king

Be honorable and courageous

Protect the weak and poor

Serve his lady

Geoffrey Chaucer The father of British

Literature Wealthy family, but not

royalty (“Chaucer” meant “shoemaker” in French)

A favorite of the British Court

Was a soldier, diplomat, clerk and held other sundry jobs Familiar with all aspects of life

Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales was

written as a “hobby” On of the great masterpieces

of British Lit. Picture of medieval life

Buried in Westminister Abbey- the first writer to be so honored Section is now called “Poets’

Corner”

The Pilgrimage

Approximately 60 miles