6. Origins of Constitutional Government Next King Richard I, spend most of his reign staging military expeditions overseas. This was expensive and successor King John inherited the debts. He tried to raise money by ordering taxes on the barons. The barons resisted these measures (Civil War). John promised not to tax land without first meeting with the barons. Also, he chose his officers only those “who know the law of the realm and mean to observe it well.” Constitutional government continued to develop. During the reign oh Henry III, the Great Council of barons came to be Parliament. Edward I became the first king to summons a Parliament elected by “free men.” Richard I John Henry III Edward I
8. The Later Middle Ages The Middle Ages period lasted from the beginning of the 14th century to the end of the 15th century. During this time Lancaster replaced the Plantagenets by the house of York. Feudal system went into a steep decline. After the Black Death a massive labor shortage increased the value of a peasant’s work. Land owners began paying their farmers in cash giving the workers a greater sense of freedom. Peasant began to complain about discriminatory laws and onerous taxation causing a revolt.
9. An attack on the Church Other companies were being directed at the church. John Wycliffe thought religion had traveled far from its roots. He showed scorn for monks, calling them men with ´´red and fat cheeks with great bellies.´´ He believed all religious authorities sprang from the Bible, no from the Church. Wycliffe directed the translation of the Bible into English for it to be more accessible to the people. He organized and order of ´´poor priest´´ known as Lollards. They continued with Wycliffe´s teachings for a number of years after his death.
17. ENGLISH MIDDLE AGES POETS There are two greatest poets of that period: William Langland Geoffrey Chaucer Their writings reveal the changes that were taking place in the English language and in society as a whole.
21. LYRICS POEMS This kind of poem fall into two categories: Secular ¨Sumer is icumen in; Lhude* sing cuccu! *Loudly Religion I syng of myden That is makeless;* *Matchless Kyng of allekynges To here son* cheches * She chose
22. Ballads Another popular form was the ballad, a folk song that told a story. An example: Robin Hood.
23. DRAMA OF THE MIDDLE AGES The Church often sponsored plays as part of the religious services. Fifteenth century: the morality drama. The most famous morality drama: Everyman, explores universal themes of salvation and redemption.
