Chaucer I

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

Welcome!

Road Map

• Context 

Test 13 February 2024

Test week: 

6 March - 13 March 2024

Lesson goal

At the end of this class the student is able to recognise and discuss both the context of Medieval England and the highlights of Geoffrey Chaucer's life. 

Watch!

1. In what language is The Canterbury Tales written?
2.  Who narrate(s) the 24 stories? 
3. Is the work finished? Explain!
4. What is said about the language that Chaucer used?

Watch!

1. In what language is The Canterbury Tales written?
2.  Who narrate(s) the 24 stories? 
3. Is the work finished? Explain!
4. What is said about the language that Chaucer used?

Context

• Born early 1340s
• From a prosperous merchant family
  
• Married to Philippa, 
• Two sons, Lewis and Thomas.
• Died 1400, buried in Westminser Abbey, Poet's Corner.

Context

• He went abroad (both in royal service as a public servant and to fight)
• Worked as a tax inspector between 1374 and 1385
• 1385: Judge of Kent
• 1389: Clerk of the King's works
• 1390: Custodian of one of the royal forests

Medieval England

In groups of two find answers to the following questions:

1. What happened in 1066

2. Name three consequences of this event. 

3. Name the first English King who actually spoke the language. Explain.

4. What was the motto of the medieval period? Explain.

5. Name three aspects of the medieval crusades. 

6. Which dynasty ascended the throne in 1154?

1066

• Eduard the Confessor died 
• No heir
• Harold Godwinson
• Norwegians: September
• Normans in France: Oct
• 14 October 1066 Battle of Hastings. 

Consequences 

1. Normans at key positions 

2. Feudal system

3. Language!

Edward III

1312 - 1377

War with France 

Time of Chaucer and Langland. 

Memento Mori!

Crusades:

First in 1095

Recovering the Holy Land from the infidels

Motive: religious conviction and thirst for adventure!

A crusader's sins were automatically forgiven

Edward III

• wanted to be King of France (1337)
•  Hundred Years' War (1453)
• 1801: English gave up claim to the France throne. 

Medieval England

1. What was the cause of the decline in population in the fourteenth century?

2. When did the Black Death first occur in England?

3. How many people were killed (more or less)?

4. What happened as a result of the many deaths?

5. How did King Richard II react? 

6. When did the Hundred Years' War end?

War of the roses

Watch the clip.

Note what happened in 

• 1455
• 1485
• 1603

and who ruled in these years.

The arts

French influences 

Romanesque, later Gothic

Gloucester cathedral Romanesque architecture

Catherdral of Milan

The arts

French / Latin language

BUT

more vernacular works!

William Langland, Sir Thomas Mallory  and Mr Chaucer

Literature 

fables, ballads and romances

courtly love

(Remember Arthur?)

Lesson goal

At the end of this class the student is able to recognise and discuss both the context of Medieval England and the highlights of Geoffrey Chaucer's life. 

Homework

Read pp. 1 - 5 of your booklet.