E 315P Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Breton Lai, Reynard, Germanic Languages
Document Summary
Some groups go north, angles/saxons/jutes come in and help. Eventually they form old english - derives from germanic language. Latin is of church, french of government. Many clan/tribes centered around king - wars create bond - creates identity. 1066 - william of normandy defeats english at hastings - brings in anglo- norman french language and culture - more people come in. They mix with old english - create middle english. Give emergence to more romantic language - old english was more war- like/heroic. Shift of culture with war/king to feudal system. People tied to king by system of land exchange for loyalty to king - bonds of leaders and followers. Claims english and french ties - historical writing. Does so by writing - prove ancestry - uses legend of arthur. Creation of bond of chivalric code between knight and women but little agency for women. 100 years war - battle for english control over french territory - 1337-1453.
