The Middle Ages in Britain
In this chapter
Conflicts Within and Beyond
Generally, the Middle Ages, or the medieval period, extends from the end of the Roman Empire in AD
476
until 1485. However, this section primarily discusses the time following the Norman Conquest, a
period
marked by almost incessant warfare.
The English monarchs engaged in conflicts with the Welsh, Scottish, and Irish lords over territorial
control. In Wales, English rule was established effectively. In 1284, King Edward I of England
enacted
the Statute of Rhuddlan, integrating Wales into the Crown of England. Massive fortresses, such as
Conwy
and Caernarvon, were constructed to uphold this authority. By the mid-15th century, the final Welsh
revolts had been suppressed. English laws and the English language were imposed.
The English monarchs did not fare as well in Scotland. Robert the Bruce led the Scots to victory
against
the English in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, keeping Scotland untouched by English conquest.
At the onset of the Middle Ages, Ireland was a sovereign nation. The English initially arrived in
Ireland as a military force to aid the Irish king, but they stayed to establish their own
settlements.
By 1200, the English governed an area of Ireland known as the Pale, centered around Dublin. Some
significant lords in other regions of Ireland recognized the authority of the English king.
During the Middle Ages, the English kings also waged several wars abroad. Many knights participated
in
the Crusades, in which European Christians battled for control over the Holy Land. The English
monarchs
also waged a protracted war with France, known as the Hundred Years War (which in fact lasted 116
years). One of the most notable battles of the Hundred Years War was the Battle of Agincourt in
1415, in
which King Henry V's greatly outnumbered English army defeated the French. The English departed
France
in the 1450s.
The Plague - The Black Death
The Normans instituted a system of land ownership known as feudalism. In exchange for military
support,
the king granted land to his lords. Landowners were required to provide a certain number of soldiers
to
serve in the army. Some peasants owned their own land, but the majority were serfs. They had a small
portion of their lord's land where they could cultivate crops. In exchange, they had to work for
their
lord and were not permitted to relocate. This system also evolved in southern Scotland. In northern
Scotland and Ireland, land was owned by members of 'clans' (prominent families).
In 1348, a disease, likely a type of plague, arrived in Britain. This was known as the Black Death.
One
third of the population of England perished, with a similar proportion in Scotland and Wales. This
remains one of the most catastrophic events to have ever impacted Britain. Following the Black
Death,
the diminished population reduced the demand for cereal crops. Labor shortages ensued, and peasants
began to request higher wages. New social classes emerged, including large landowners (later
referred to
as the gentry), and individuals began to migrate from the countryside to towns. In these towns,
increasing wealth fostered the development of a robust middle class.
In Ireland, the Black Death caused many deaths in the Pale, resulting in a temporary decrease in the
area controlled by the English.
Legal and Political Reforms
During the Middle Ages, the foundations of today's Parliament were laid. Its roots can be traced
back to
the king's council of advisors, composed of important nobles and church leaders.
Until 1215, there were minimal formal restrictions on the king's power. However, that year, King
John
was compelled by his noblemen to accede to several demands. The result was a charter of rights known
as
the Magna Carta (or the Great Charter). The Magna Carta enshrined the concept that even the king was
subject to the law. It safeguarded the rights of the nobility, limited the king's ability to tax,
and
restricted his power to legislate and alter laws. From then on, the king would need to involve his
nobles in decision-making.
Parliaments were summoned in England for the king to consult his nobles, particularly when the king
needed to raise funds. The number of attendees at Parliament increased, and two separate sections,
or
Houses, were established. The House of Lords comprised the nobility, major landowners, and bishops.
The
House of Commons was made up of knights, typically smaller landowners, and affluent individuals from
towns and cities, who were elected. However, only a small portion of the population was eligible to
vote
in elections for the Commons.
A similar parliamentary system evolved in Scotland. It had three houses, known as Estates: the
lords,
the commons, and the clergy.
This era also saw significant developments in the legal system. The principle of judicial
independence
from the government began to take root. In England, judges developed 'common law' based on precedent
(i.e., adhering to past decisions) and tradition. In Scotland, the legal system developed slightly
differently, with laws being 'codified' (i.e., written down).
Establishing a Unique Identity
The Middle Ages bore witness to the formation of a unique national culture and identity. After the
Norman Conquest, the king and his noblemen conversed in Norman French, while the peasants persisted
in
speaking Anglo-Saxon. Over time, these two languages coalesced into a single English language. Some
modern English words, such as 'park' and 'beauty,' are based on Norman French words, while others,
such
as 'apple,' 'cow,' and 'summer,' stem from Anglo-Saxon. In modern English, it is often the case that
two
words have very similar meanings, one derived from French and the other from Anglo-Saxon. Examples
of
this include 'demand' (French) and 'ask' (Anglo-Saxon). By 1400, English had become the language of
official documents, the royal court, and Parliament.
In the years leading up to 1400, Geoffrey Chaucer penned a series of English poems about a group of
pilgrims journeying to Canterbury. To pass the time, the pilgrims decided to tell each other stories
along the way. These poems, which describe the travelers and some of their stories, comprise The
Canterbury Tales. This collection was one of the first books to be printed by William Caxton, the
first
person in England to use a printing press for book production. Many of the stories remain popular
today,
with several adapted into plays and television programs.
In Scotland, many people continued to speak Gaelic while the Scots language also evolved. Several
poets
began to write in the Scots language, including John Barbour, who penned The Bruce, a poem about the
Battle of Bannockburn.
The Middle Ages saw a transformation in the architecture of Britain. Castles were erected in
numerous
locations throughout Britain and Ireland, largely for defense. While many stand in ruins today,
others,
such as Windsor and Edinburgh, are still in use. Grand cathedrals, such as Lincoln Cathedral, were
also
built and continue to serve as places of worship. Many of these cathedrals boasted stained glass
windows
depicting stories from the Bible and Christian saints, with the glass in York Minster being a
well-known
example.
During this period, England emerged as a significant trading nation, with English wool being a
particularly valuable export. Foreigners arrived in England to trade and work, many of whom
possessed
specialized skills. This group included weavers from France, engineers from Germany, glass
manufacturers
from Italy, and canal builders from Holland.
The Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses was a civil war that started in 1455, fought to determine the rightful king of England. The war was between the supporters of two rival families: the House of Lancaster, represented by a red rose, and the House of York, symbolized by a white rose. This conflict reached its climax with the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485, where King Richard III from the House of York was killed. Following the battle, Henry Tudor, who led the House of Lancaster, ascended to the throne as King Henry VII. To unify the warring factions, Henry married Elizabeth of York, King Richard III's niece. This union marked the beginning of the House of Tudor, whose symbol was a red rose with a white rose at its center, signifying the alliance between the Houses of Lancaster and York.
Make Sure You Understand
- The Middle Ages was a period of frequent wars, both within the British Isles and overseas.
- Parliament began to develop, starting as the king's council and evolving into two separate Houses.
- Land was owned through a system known as feudalism.
- The Black Death caused significant social changes due to massive population loss.
- English language and culture evolved significantly during this period.
- The Wars of the Roses led to the establishment of the House of Tudor.
Study Materials
- Introduction to the Life in the UK Study Guide
- Chapter 1 - The Values and Principles of the UK
- Chapter 2 - What is the UK?
- Chapter 3 - A Long and Illustrious History
- Britain from it's Beginnings
- The Middle Ages
- The Tudors and Stuarts
- A Global Power
- The 20th Century
- Britain since 1945
- Chapter 4 - A Modern, Thriving Society in the UK
- The UK Today
- Religion in the UK
- Customs and Traditions
- Sport in the UK
- Arts and Culture
- Leisure Activities in the UK
- Iconic Places of Interest in the UK
- Chapter 5 - The UK Government, the Law and Your Role
- The Development of British Democracy
- The Government
- Who Can Vote in the UK?
- The UK and International Institutions
- Respecting the Law
- The Role of the Courts
- Fundamental Principles
- Your Role in the Community
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