Middle English Period History (1066-1485)
Middle English Period (1066-1485)
Some people refer to this era as the Pre-Renaissance period.
11th Century (1066-1100)
1066: Following the death of Edward the Confessor, Harold, the queen’s brother, was proclaimed king. However, William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England. Harold was killed in the Battle of Hastings, leading to William becoming king of England (reigned 1066-1087), known as William the Conqueror.
William ordered the publication of the Domesday Book, a comprehensive record of land holdings. This book is significant as it is the closest equivalent to a census record from that time.
1095: The Crusades began.
12th Century (1101-1200)
The succession following William the Conqueror saw various rulers. Henry I, a son of William I, died without a male heir. His daughter, Matilda, was proposed as queen, but ultimately, his nephew Stephen, the only living grandson of William I, became king. After Stephen, Henry II, Matilda’s son, ascended the throne.
In 1170, King Henry II confronted Thomas Becket, the reforming Archbishop of Canterbury. Henry II sought to diminish the Church’s influence and wealth. He engaged in conflict with Becket over the rights and privileges of the Church. Tragically, Becket was assassinated by supporters of the king.
Richard I the Lionheart, son of Henry II, was heavily involved in the Crusades and foreign wars.
13th Century (1201-1300)
By the beginning of the 13th century, England was losing control of Normandy. There was a growing sentiment towards a distinct English identity, moving away from the old Anglo-Saxon identity.
Upon Richard I’s death, he was succeeded by his brother John, who was often unpopular with the people. The legend from this period is Robin Hood, who is depicted as fighting against John. Some legends suggest he was a noble, perhaps the Earl of Huntingdon. If a noble, he might represent an early form of democratic ideal.
1210: Marks the beginning of increased English involvement in Ireland.
The term Oxbridge is a portmanteau for Oxford and Cambridge universities. Both universities saw significant development in this century. Cambridge was founded in 1209 by scholars who left Oxford after a dispute with townspeople. A significant figure of this era is Roger Bacon, who studied at Oxford. He is important for his emphasis on empiricism and is considered a predecessor of modern empirical science. He was a Franciscan friar.
The Magna Carta was signed by King John, limiting royal power and granting certain rights to landowning men. It is considered a predecessor of constitutional law.
There was a distinction between the royal court and Parliament:
- The royal court functioned as the government.
- Parliament represented the aristocracy.
In 1265, the first English Parliament was established by Simon de Montfort.
During this century, the English were frequently in conflict with the Welsh and Scots.