Sir Gawain andthe Green KnightA brief overview of the poems historical contextorWhat happens in England between Beowulf and Sir Gawain

Richard IIKing Richard II 1377-99He was deposed by Henry Bolingbroke who made his speech of accession in English

What happens in 1066and why does it matter?Hint: Comes from FranceChanges England: politically, linguistically, socially

What happens in 1066and why does it matter?Edward the Confessor, king of England for 24 years, dies childless; he is descended from Alfred the Great. Edward speaks Anglo-Saxon.Harold, son of Godwin, is elected to the throne, but William, Duke of Normandy (he speaks Norman French) had expected to inherit; he assembles an invasion army.

Battle of Hastings in 1066William defeats Harold in a pitched battle; Harold is killed by an arrow through the eye. Most of the Anglo-Saxon aristocracy are killed or flee into exile.

What happened to the Anglo-Saxon Language, the language of Beowulf?

William the Conqueror and his knights speak Norman FrenchLower classes and peasants speak EnglishFrench becomes the prestige language of the court

What is the next big event?Hints:Comes from ItalyUndermines the feudal system of hierarchyGive rises the middle classIs devastating

The Black DeathIt first ravages England between 1348-49.Almost 50% of the population dies.Chaucer is a boy of 8 or 9. The Gawain Poet also survives the plague.

Rise of the Middle ClassSerfdom dies out as result of Black DeathBlack Death causes massive labor shortage, raises wages, leads to unification of peasants, redistribution of wealthPopulation shifts to urban centersEconomic developments: trade increases; growth of guilds and cottage industry

England in the Fifteenth CenturyIncreased social mobility, loosening of hereditary bonds to land allows English people to move to urban centers, particularly LondonIn 14th century majority of population lives south of the Humber; 85% of population is rural; the Midlands region is most densely populated and least ravaged by Black DeathEnglish in London becomes a mixture of Midlands with features of Southern and Northern dialects; Midlands becomes a compromise between the Northern and Southern dialects

Reading in the Middle AgesA very small portion of population can read: clerks, priests, some of the nobilityReading and writing are distinct skillsReading is often a purely devotional activity

More History (ho hum)King Edward III 1327-771337-1453 The Hundred Years War; Edward III discuss the invasion of France with the Parliament in English1346 The Battle of Crecy1356 The Battle of Poiters