The making of the nations

The making of the nations

Celts: The first inhabitant of the England were the dark-haired Iberians. After they arrived from the German the Celts who were organized on a tribal society and they lived on fishing, hunting and agriculture. The Celts worshiped the natural elements and the water that generated life.

Romans: In the first century BC Julius Caesar and Claudius invaded Britain and introduced their civilization and language. In the first century AD the Romans withdrew from Britain.

The Anglo-Saxons: The A.S. come from the Germany and their economy was based on fishing seals and whales. They lived in family called clan. The most important value for the A.S. was the loyalty and the courage. The king of A.S. was Alfred The great who encouraged the writing of a history of England. Edward The confessor was the successor of Alfred and he devoted his live to religion.

Norman invasion: In 1066 Duke of Normandy defeated the last king of A.S. and introduced in England the French language, and the feudal system. In this system the king was the owner of all land but he gave some land to vassals, in return for military service. The barons were chief vassals and the created other vassals, called knight. The peasant could be villains or serfs.

The growth of the middle classes:

In the 13^th century there was a growth of the trade, the circulation of the money. In the 14^th century there was a new middle classes and there was a rise of the aristocracy and the formation of the gentry.

Role of church: The church provided consolation of afflicted, bread for the hungry and assistance for the oppressed. The priest educated most people.

Middle English: During the middle ages were spoken 3 languages: French, Anglo Saxon, ad Latin.

Medieval mind: Medieval civilization was religious and based on the belief that the life after death is the real one, while the life on earth is just a period of preparation for it. Ptolemy was a geographer and astronomer and he studied the position of the planets. God was at the top.

The Plantagenet's:

Henry II: Henry II was the Plantagenet king and he restored order and improved military service and the administration of justice through reforms. He reduce the power of barons. Knights could pay the king with money instead giving some service. The law that judges administered was the common law, because it was used everywhere. The king wanted to reduce the power of church so he made Becket head of it. Then Becket became a enemy of king.

Magna Charta: John lack land levied higher taxes so the barons forced him to sign a document, called Magna Charta, in which the king agreed that no taxes shall be demanded in the realms without the consent of the great council. The way to the constitutional monarchy started from here.

Model parliament: Term parliament derives form the French word meaning "discussion". The parliament included representatives of the barons, the clergy, two knights and two citizens for each country.

Black death: England was hit by the black death. It was caused by fleas living on black rats which infested the ships. The mortality rate was very high.

John and Lollardy: The movement called Lollardy criticized the corruption in monastic orders.

Trade guild: the artisans and tradesman in the town organized themselves in groups called guilds.

Medieval ballad: composed of short stanzas of two or four lines. Repetition of one or more lines (refrain). Contain a mixture of dialogue and narration. Present a rapid flash. Characters aren't described physically or psychologically.

Geoffrey Chaucer: he was born in London and he belong to middle class. He is regarded as the father of English literature and as the first major poet. His languages gradually became standard English. His works are divided into three periods:

French: includes poems modeled on French romance styles.

Italian: shows a greater maturity of skill.

English: greater realism and include Chaucer's masterpiece: Canterbury Tales