Medieval england

Definition

Medieval England refers to the period in English history from the 5th century to the late 15th century, marked by the establishment of feudalism, the influence of the Church, and significant cultural developments. This era saw the emergence of the English language in literature and the gradual transition from Old English to Middle English, which set the stage for the rich literary traditions that followed, including lyrical poetry and narrative tales.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Medieval England was shaped by key events such as the Norman Conquest in 1066, which brought significant changes in governance and culture.
2. The period saw the rise of important literary forms, including Middle English lyrics which often expressed themes of love, nature, and morality.
3. The Church played a central role in daily life during medieval England, influencing education, law, and artistic expression.
4. The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in Middle English that reflects various aspects of medieval society through its diverse characters.
5. The period witnessed the gradual evolution of English as a literary language, leading to a flourishing of poetry and prose that laid the foundation for later English literature.

Review Questions

• How did the establishment of feudalism influence social structures in medieval England?
  • Feudalism established a hierarchical social structure in medieval England where land ownership determined power and status. Lords owned large estates and provided protection to vassals in exchange for military service. This system also created a class of serfs who worked the land for their lords, leading to a rigid class distinction that influenced all aspects of life, including literature where themes often reflected these societal roles.
• Discuss the impact of the Church on literature during medieval England.
  • The Church profoundly influenced literature during medieval England by promoting religious themes and moral lessons in writing. Many authors were clergy or educated through church institutions, which led to a focus on religious texts. The Church also commissioned works that reflected its values, contributing to the popularity of allegorical narratives and devotional poetry that permeated literary traditions like those seen in Middle English lyrics.
• Evaluate how the transition from Old English to Middle English affected literary production during medieval England.
  • The transition from Old English to Middle English marked a significant evolution in literary production as it made literature more accessible to a broader audience. This shift was influenced by the Norman Conquest, which introduced French vocabulary and literary forms into English. As Middle English became established, it facilitated a surge in original works such as Chaucer's Canterbury Tales and various lyrical poems that captured contemporary life, emotions, and experiences, thus enriching the English literary canon.

Related terms

Feudalism: A social and economic system prevalent in medieval England, where land was held in exchange for service and loyalty, forming a hierarchical structure among lords, vassals, and serfs.

Chivalry: A code of conduct associated with the medieval institution of knighthood that emphasized virtues such as bravery, honor, and respect for women, deeply influencing literature and social norms.

Middle English: The form of the English language spoken and written between 1150 and 1500, characterized by a significant influence from Norman French and Latin, leading to a rich body of literature.