The Anglo-Saxon and The Anglo-Saxon and Medieval PeriodsMedieval Periods449-1485 A.D.449-1485 A.D.

This Lesson Will Teach you about:This Lesson Will Teach you about:Impact of ChristianityImpact of ChristianityFeudalism Feudalism Sociology of Medieval EuropeSociology of Medieval EuropeThe Hundred Years WarThe Hundred Years War

The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period449-1066449-1066

Britannia (Great Britain) had Britannia (Great Britain) had been abandoned by the been abandoned by the

Roman Empire—the Roman Roman Empire—the Roman Army fled to protect the city Army fled to protect the city

of Rome from invasion of Rome from invasion during the early part of the during the early part of the

55thth century. century.

The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period449-1066449-1066

Without protection, Without protection, the islands were the islands were invaded by invaded by Germanic peoples Germanic peoples beginning in the 5beginning in the 5thth century (449A.D.)century (449A.D.)

Primary Tribes:Primary Tribes:

–AnglesAngles–SaxonsSaxons

The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period449-1066449-1066

The “Britons” were led by a The “Britons” were led by a Christian commander named Christian commander named Arthur. Unfortunately, they Arthur. Unfortunately, they were unable to protect Britanniawere unable to protect Britannia

German tribes took over German tribes took over southern & central parts southern & central parts Brittania forcing the native Brittania forcing the native people (Celtics) to the north and people (Celtics) to the north and west.west.

Celtic culture & pagan religions Celtic culture & pagan religions all but disappeared.all but disappeared.

Interesting Fact: The Celtics reemerged in Boston, Massachusetts (USA) in 1946

The Anglo-Saxon PeriodThe Anglo-Saxon Period449-1066449-1066

Because the Because the AnglesAngles Tribe was the Tribe was the predominant tribe in southern Britannia predominant tribe in southern Britannia at the time, the new settlement at the time, the new settlement became known as “became known as “Angle-landAngle-land,” or ,” or England (modern pronunciation).England (modern pronunciation).

Although the Angles were the dominant Although the Angles were the dominant tribe, scholars still refer to this period tribe, scholars still refer to this period as the Anglo-Saxon Period.as the Anglo-Saxon Period.

Lives of the Anglo-Saxons Lives of the Anglo-Saxons Changed Over TimeChanged Over Time

In the In the beginning…beginning…– Seafaring Seafaring

peoplepeople– ShortShort– BleakBleak– ViolentViolent– Pagan ReligionPagan Religion

After After Christianity…Christianity…– Strong belief in Strong belief in

the “Wyrd” (fate)the “Wyrd” (fate)– Admired warriors Admired warriors

whose “wyrd” was whose “wyrd” was to prevail in battleto prevail in battle

– Less violentLess violent– More secureMore secure– More civilizedMore civilized– agriculturalistsagriculturalists

Growth of ChristianityGrowth of Christianity Anglo-Saxons began adopting Anglo-Saxons began adopting

Christianity during late 6Christianity during late 6thth century. century. Gaels (native tribe) spread Gaels (native tribe) spread

Christianity to Angles.Christianity to Angles. Augustine establishes first Augustine establishes first

monastery at Canterbury in 597A.D. monastery at Canterbury in 597A.D. Within the next century, most people Within the next century, most people

became Christian. became Christian.

Final Invasion of EnglandFinal Invasion of EnglandDispute as to who would succeed Dispute as to who would succeed

the throne in 1066.the throne in 1066.William, Duke of Normandy, William, Duke of Normandy,

attacks Harold in the “Battle of attacks Harold in the “Battle of Hastings” on Christmas day 1066 Hastings” on Christmas day 1066 A.D.A.D.

William takes over throne and is William takes over throne and is renamed William “the Conqueror.”renamed William “the Conqueror.”

Medieval Period begins.Medieval Period begins.

The Medieval Period 1066-The Medieval Period 1066-14851485

Introduction of the Introduction of the Normans (French: Normans (French: “north men”) to the “north men”) to the region brought about region brought about a lot of change.a lot of change.

Brought over “French Brought over “French practices.”practices.”

Ushers in new Ushers in new regime—beginning of regime—beginning of the Medieval Period.the Medieval Period.

Feudal System of Medieval Feudal System of Medieval PeriodPeriod

DefinitionDefinition—a political and economic system —a political and economic system in which the hierarchy was based on the in which the hierarchy was based on the king owning all the land in the kingdom and king owning all the land in the kingdom and subdividing it.subdividing it.

25%--The King lived on and owned (castles)25%--The King lived on and owned (castles) 25%--Dedicated to the Church (cathedrals)25%--Dedicated to the Church (cathedrals) 50%--Gets further subdivided to loyal 50%--Gets further subdivided to loyal

nobles—mostly Norman barons (manors).nobles—mostly Norman barons (manors).– Normans supplied king with warriors on Normans supplied king with warriors on

horseback called knechts <Old Eng: horseback called knechts <Old Eng: servant>servant>

Feudal System HierarchyFeudal System Hierarchy KingKing—owned all the land in the kingdom—owned all the land in the kingdom

Nobles/BaronsNobles/Barons—”rented” subdivided —”rented” subdivided land by providing knights and land by providing knights and allegiance to the king.allegiance to the king. KnightsKnights—warriors for protection & —warriors for protection &

allegiance to the Nobles and Barons.allegiance to the Nobles and Barons.SerfsSerfs—the Anglo-Saxons that were —the Anglo-Saxons that were

conquered by the Normans conquered by the Normans

became peasants bound to the became peasants bound to the land the land the could notcould not own. own.

Creation of new Judicial Creation of new Judicial SystemSystem

Henry II takes over and enacts new systemHenry II takes over and enacts new system Royal Courts throughout the countryRoyal Courts throughout the country System of JuriesSystem of Juries Formation of English Common Law Formation of English Common Law

– based on old practices, tradition, and values.based on old practices, tradition, and values.

Discussion Question:Discussion Question: Why is the idea of a judicial system such a Why is the idea of a judicial system such a

revolutionary concept compared to the revolutionary concept compared to the feudal system?feudal system?

Compare Henry’s system of government to Compare Henry’s system of government to modern democracies. What are some modern democracies. What are some similarities?similarities?

ChivalryChivalry Wife of Henry II introduced Wife of Henry II introduced

ideals of chivalry she brought ideals of chivalry she brought with her from France when she with her from France when she took over as Queen of England.took over as Queen of England.

ChivalryChivalry—code of honor —code of honor intended to govern knightly intended to govern knightly behavior.behavior.– Honor and protection of Honor and protection of

women, children, and most women, children, and most importantly: CHRISTIANITY!importantly: CHRISTIANITY!

– Go on Holy Quests Go on Holy Quests (Crusades) in order to (Crusades) in order to spread and maintain spread and maintain Christian principles and Christian principles and teachings.teachings.

CrusadesCrusades Richard I (“Richard the Lion-Richard I (“Richard the Lion-

Hearted”) spent much of 10-Hearted”) spent much of 10-year reign fighting Crusades in year reign fighting Crusades in France to protect Christianity.France to protect Christianity.

Brother John ruled during his Brother John ruled during his absence and was dubbed a absence and was dubbed a tyranttyrant– Subject of “Robin Hood” storiesSubject of “Robin Hood” stories

Treasury had become Treasury had become bankrupt from wars.bankrupt from wars.

““Magna CartaMagna Carta” signed in 1215 ” signed in 1215 giving more power to barons.giving more power to barons.– Step toward modern democracy.Step toward modern democracy.

End of Feudalism End of Feudalism Signing of Magna Carta in 1215 A.D. Signing of Magna Carta in 1215 A.D.

brought about socioeconomic change.brought about socioeconomic change. Commoners power increased as trade Commoners power increased as trade

increased with Western Europe and Asia.increased with Western Europe and Asia. Merchants & Craftspeople formed Merchants & Craftspeople formed GuildsGuilds..

– Set up rules for trading/economySet up rules for trading/economy– Moderated prices in the marketModerated prices in the market– Wealth shifted from land owner-Wealth shifted from land owner-

ship to ship to mercantilismmercantilism and trade. and trade. Universities blossomed (Oxford)Universities blossomed (Oxford)

The Hundred Years War 1337-The Hundred Years War 1337-14531453

On-and-Off War Between England & On-and-Off War Between England & France.France.

““The Plague”—The Plague”—Black DeathBlack Death killed 30- killed 30-40% of England’s population40% of England’s population

Domestic “Domestic “War of the RosesWar of the Roses” to seat ” to seat new King.new King.

““Red Rose” wins out and seats as Henry Red Rose” wins out and seats as Henry VII.VII.

Seating of new King ends “Middle Ages” Seating of new King ends “Middle Ages” (Medieval Period) in England.(Medieval Period) in England.