Middle Ages Before 1300 Development Of Courtly Love Notes

MIDDLE AGES BEFORE 1300 - HOW WAS 'COURTLY LOVE' DEVELOPED? SOCIAL HISTORY: ? William the Conqueror ruthlessly take over of England - (Normal Conquest). Died in 1087, only two English landowners left. Aristocrats who survived Hastings either emigrated or become farmers. Invading culture was considered superior, things English were degraded -- 1/4 of England given to the Church (dominated by foreign forces) with Norman bishops + abbots. ? Soon after the conquest, Will stopped trying to learn English and after 1070, all official documents were written in Latin not English. 170 Norman nobles to whom Will gave land made little effort to speak vernacular ? Under W, social distinctions in rural society hardened - bottom of feudal scale were nation's serfs, no rights at all, attached to land that they worked on. In 1085, W ordered a uniquely detailed survey of rural population + land holding of all England (Domesday book). ? Land owners held manors and were local lords. Social mobility was forbidden. ? These years were also marked by new dynamism; Normans restored the Church to the north, constructed new cathedrals, and founded new monasteries, promoted education. Gave new importance to cities and towns ? When Peter the Hermit - provoked first Crusade (led to the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 + establishment of a Christian Kingdom in the holy land, Normans played important role - Did Crusades, with myth of adventurism + religious idealism give rise to Chivalry? ? Great lords of England (e.g Barons) like those of France, had a duty to raise an army when needed. Fighting was expensive. ? arose class of landed gentry who were encouraged to spend much of their time away on campaigns + to bring some of their sons with them as squires. Gentleman warriors were known as Knights (e.g Sir -- ) - title from king not inherited. Went into battle on horse back so in French was called Chevalier - from word for horse ? When Will died, royal succession was difficult - Left England to Rufus the Red (his son) and Normandy to another, but lands were divided. Rufus was wild + killed by an arrow while hiuting. Younger brother Henry become King (of E +N ) in 1106. Died in 1135 - daughter Matilda should have been queen but his younger sister's son, Stephon sized power ? 1144 - He lost control of Normandy to Count of Anjou, region directly below Normandy, who had married Matilda while Henry was still alive. ? Stephon died in 1154. Henry II son of Matilda, followed him - father had been 3rd Latin King of Jerusalem, as well as count of Anjou + Duke of Normandy ? England was now part of large dynasty - the Plantagenet's. Henry's reign was marked by strong tension between King + church power = confrontation of King + archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket (B gets murdered inside cathedral by band of knights claiming to be acting on K's behalf). King forced to submit to the Church + Becket becomes v important Saint. ? H's wife, Eleanor of Aquitaine, (first married to King of Northern France but divorced him + married Henry, bringing England the territory of Aquitaine). Her Grandfather, Guilhem IX of AQ = earliest named troubadour + E herself is major literary figure ? Their son, Richard Lionheart was one of the most poetic figures in English Royal history - most of his reign (1189--1199) was spent in wars abroad, killed during 3rd Crusade - childless so brother John succeeded him. ? John lost control of Normandy + Anjou to kings of France in 1204, -- left England little to call its own across the sea. (In later literature this is the Robin Hood era) 

Buy the full version of these notes or essay plans and more in our Middle English Notes.