Week 2.docVIP

Week 2 Old English and Middle Ages I. Historical background (450-15th century) the Celts from west of France (400 B.C) Welsh and Irish language and culture 3 conquests/invasions --- Romans (4th to the 6th cen.): politics of self-government, transportation system, cities, Latin language and Christianity (little remained) --- English/Anglo-Saxon Conquest ( Angles, Saxons, Jutes) Germanic tribes from the Mediterranean coast: Scandinavia, Denmark and Germany the Pagans/heathens异教徒 enslaved the Celts and drove others to Wales, Scotland and Ireland began feudalism; new social strata: serfs农奴—freemen自由民—farmers农民--thanes乡士--earls爵爷—kings王爷 a medley of different races/ethnic groups; of multiple influences and cultural and political orders [In 597 St. Augustine from Rome brought Christianity. Within 100 years the whole England was christianized. Heathen people with their paganism withdrew to remote areas. A mixture of paganism and Christianity.] ---Norman Conquest in 1066 by William, Duke of Normandy from Northern France: A. further established feudalism, and ended the slave system in 14th cen. B. powerful Popedom教皇制 established (1/3 of land, political right, wide moral degeneration of the clericals; penances or pardons 赦罪令 C. highly centralized royal power, but conceded in the 13th cen. with establishment of parliament (1215 the Magna Carta/King John) D. communication with the outside world: diplomatic relations, development of trade and increasing strength for tradesmen and skilled professionals E. influence from outside world in ideology F. coexistence of 3 languages: Latin, the clerical and learned; French, noblemen and royal court; A-S native English/ Celtic dialect (vernacular) for the common [Not until the 13th century did English enter the world of official discourse 官方用语. 1258 Henry III issued a proclamation布告 in 3 languages, 14th cen., parliament and court allowed English.] Major cultural/social aspects of the period socially: transition f