English 10 - Middle English Exam

As you read these legends, you should keep in mind what 5 things? (1 answer)

1. Different versions of the tale exist

What two events on the timeline demonstrate that English was beginning to be accepted in England as the language of learning and politics?

1. English language used to open Parliament, 1362. 2. Entire Bible translated into English for first time by followers of John Wycliffe, 1380

As you read these legends, you should keep in mind what 5 things? (2 answer)

2. Extraordinary events are commonplace.

As you read these legends, you should keep in mind what 5 things? (3 answer)

3. Heroes and villains are clearly defined.

As you read these legends, you should keep in mind what 5 things? (4 answer)

4. The action is episodic.

As you read these legends, you should keep in mind what 5 things? (5 answer)

5. Summarizing makes for clear reading.

What developed that caused the feudal system to become obsolete?

Big increase in the population. (Population centers - towns and cities)

What is "courtly" love?

Courtly love was, in its ideal form, nonsexual.

Who is Arthur?

He is a British chieftain who helped to defend Britain against the Saxon Invaders.

There also was a ___, a Prioress, her way of smiling very simple and coy. Her greatest oath was only "By St. Loy!" and she was known as Madam Eglantyne. And well she sang a service,, with a fine intoning through her nose, as was most seemly, and she spoke daintily in French, extremely, after the school of Stratford-atte-Bowe; French in the Paris style she did not know. At meat her manners were well taught withal; no morsel from her lips did she let fall, nor dipped her fingers in the sauce too deep; but she could carry a morsel up and keep the smallest drop from falling on her breast. For courtliness she had a special zest, and she would wipe her upper lip so clean that not a trace of grease was to be seen upen the cup when she had drunk; to eat, she reached a hand sedately for the meat. She certainly was very entertaining, pleasant and friendly in her ways, and straining to counterfeit a courtly king of grace, a stately bearing fitting to her place, and to seem dignified in all her dealings. As for her sympathies and tender feelings, she was so charitably solicitous she used to weep if she but saw a mouse caught in a trap, if it were dead of bleeding. And she had little dogs she would be feeding with roasted flesh , or milk, or fine white bread. And bitterly she wept if one were had or someone took a stick and made it smart; she was all sentiment and tender heart. Her veil was gathered in a seemly way, her nose was elegant, her eyes glass-gray; her mouth was very small, but soft and red, her forehead, certainly, was fair of spread, almost a span across the brows, I own; she was indeed by no means undergrown. Her cloak, I noticed, had a graceful charm.. She wore a coral trinkets on her arm, a set of beads, the gaudies tricked in green, whence hung a golden brooch of brightest sheen on which there first was grabbed a crowned A, and lower, Amor vincit omnia. Another ___, the secretary at her cell, was riding with her, and three Priests as well.

Nun

The Woman of Bath Summary/Description

Opinionated, out of her years, progressive

An ___, still a student though, one who had taken logic long ago, was there; his horse was thinner than a rake, and he was not too fat, I undertake, but had a hollow look, a sober stare; the thread upon his overcoat was bare. He had found no preferment in the church and he was too unworldly to make search for secular employment. By his bed he preferred having twenty books in red and black, of Aristotle's philosophy then costly clothes, fiddle, or psaltery. Though a philosopher, as I have told, he had not found the stone for making gold. Whatever money from his friends he took he spent on learning or another book and prayed for them most earnestly, returning thanks to them thus for paying for his learning. His only care was study and indeed he never spoke a word more than was need, formal at that respectful in the extreme, short, to the point, and lofty in his theme. A tone of moral virtue filled his speech and gladly would he learn, and gladly teach.

Oxford Clerk

With him there rode a noble ___ Of Rouncival, his friend and his compeer; Straight from the court of Rome had journeyed he .Loudly he sang "Come hither, love, to me," The summoner added a strong bass to his song; No horn ever sounded half so strong. This pardoner had hair as yellow as wax, But smooth it hung as does a strike of flax; In driplets hung his locks behind his head, Down to his shoulders which they over spread; But thin they dropped, these strings, all one by one. He had no hood, it was for sport and fun, Though it was packed in knapsack all the while. It seemed to him he rode in latest style, With unbound hair, except his cap, head all bare. As shiny eyes he had as has a hare. He had a fine Veronica sewed to his cap. His knapsack lay before him in his lap, Stuffed full with pardons brought from Rome all hot. A voice he had that sounded like a goat. No beard had he, nor ever should he have, For smooth his face as he'd just had a shave; I think he was a gelding or a mare. But in his craft, from Berwick unto Ware, Was no such pardoner of equal grace. For in his bag he had a pillow-case Of which he said, it was Our True Lady's veil: He said he had a piece of the very sail That good Saint Peter had, on time he sailed Upon the sea, till Jesus him had hailed. He had a latten cross set full of stones, And in a bottle had he some pig's bones. But with these relics, when he found on ride Some simple parson dwelling in the countryside, In that one day gathered more money Than the parson in two months, that easy. And thus, with flattery and equal japes, He made the parson and the rest his apes. But yet, to tell the whole truth at the last, He was, in church, a fine ecclesiast. Well could he read a lesson or a story, But best of all he sang an offertory; For he knew well that when that song was sung, Then must he preach, and all with smoothened tongue. To gain some silver, preferably from the crowd; Therefore he sang so merrily and so loud.

Pardoner

There was a ___ with us at that Inn, His face on fire, like a cherubim, For he had carbuncles. His eyes were narrow, He was as hot and lecherous as a sparrow. Black scabby brows he had, and a thin beard. Children were afraid when he appeared. No quicksilver, lead ointment, tartar creams, No brimstone, no boracic, so it seems, Could make a salve that had the power to bite, Clean up, or cure his whelks of knobby white Or purge the pimples sitting on his cheeks. Garlic he loved, and onions too, and leeks. And drinking strong red wine till all was hazy. Then he would shout and jabber as if crazy, And wouldn't peak word except in Latin When he was drunk, such tags as he was pat in; He only had a few, say two or three, That he had mugged up out of some decree; No wonder, for he heard them every day. And, as you know, a man can teach a jay To call out "Walter" better than the Pope. But ha you tried to test his wits and grope For more, you'd have found nothing in the bag. Then "Question quid juris" was his tag. He was a noble varlet and a kind one, You'd meet none better if you went to find one. Why, he'd allow - just for a quart of wine - Any good lad to keep a concubine A twelvemonth and dispense him altogether! And he had finches of his own to feather: And if he found some rascal with a maid He would instruct him not to be afraid In such a case of the Archdeacon's curse (Unless the rascal's soul were in his purse_ For in his purse the punishment should be. "Purse is the good Archdeacon's Hell," said he. But well I know he lied in what he said; A curse should put a guilty man in dread, For curses kill, as shriving brings, salvation. We should beware of excommunication. Thus, as he pleased, the man could bring duress On any young fellow in the diocese. He knew their secrets, they did what he said. He wore a garland set upon his head Large as the holly-bush upon a stake Outside an ale-house, and he had a cake, A round one, which it was his joke to wield As if it were intended for a shield.

Summoner

Sir Bedivere

Surviving companion of Arthur who returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake at the dying king's request.

The Parson Summary/Description

poor, "a learned man", very religious (christain), a good shepherd, not a mercenary (did not kill), never did things expecting something in return

The Oxford Cleric Summary/Description

poor, quiet, learned, stole money from friends in order to buy books, wasn't interested in love

The Nun Summary/Description

simple, known as Madame Eglantyne, Prioress, spoke french and studied in france (Stratford-atte-Bowe), mannerly, friendly and pleasant, had little (probably annoying) dogs, wealthy, elegant, solicitous

The Summoner Summary/Description

ugly, deformed, only spoke Latin, would get drunk, thought he was better than he actually was, knew people's secrets (part of church)

In what order did knights have to swear their allegiance?

God, king, everyone else (weak and helpless)

How was knightly protection often not equal?

More often reserved for ladies of high rank and wealth than the poor women and orphans.

Igraine

Mother of Arthur.

The Monk Summary/Description

fancy, hunter, Prior, did not hold grudges, went with the flow, wealthy, independent, well-read, fat

Excalibur

Arthur's magical sword.

Gwynevere

Arthur's queen. The Round Table is her dowry. She later falls in love with Sir Launcelot. Many writers spell her name Guinevere.

Sir Gawaine

Nephew of Arthur and knight of the Round Table. His strength - like that of the sun - grows each morning and then wanes during the afternoon.

Sir Modred

A knight of the Round Table, often identified as Arthur's nephew or illegitimate son. He tries to usurp the throne during Arthur's absence abroad. Arthur slays Modred but receives a fatal wound. Some writers spell the name Mordred.

What were the Crusades?

A series of wars fought between European Christians and Muslims over Jerusalem, The Holy Land.

Morgan le Fay

A sorceress who often plots against Arthur. She is said to be his sister.

Lady of the Lake

A supernatural being who give Excalibur to Arthur. She is one of the queens who carry the mortally wounded Arthur to Avalon where he may be healed.

What is chivalry? (Middle Ages)

A system of ideals and social codes governing the behavior of knights and gentle-women.

The Black Death reduced England's population by ___.

A third

What is the definition of a legend?

A traditional story sometimes popularly regarded as historical but unauthenticated.

What did the Normans bring to England?

Administrative ability, law and order, cultural unity, taxes, and feudalism.

A ___ too emerged as we proceeded; No one alive could talk as well as he did On points of medicine and of surgery, For, being grounded in astronomy, He watched his patient closely for the hours When, by his horoscope, he knew the power Of favorable planets then ascendent, Worked on the images for his dependent. The cause of every malady you'd got He knew, and whether dry, cold, moist, or hot; He knew their seat, their humor and condition. He was a perfect practicing physician. These causes being known for what they were, He gave the man his medicine then and there. All his apothecaries in a tribe Were ready with the drugs he would prescribe And each made money from the other's guile; They had been friendly for a goodish while. He was well-versed in Aesculapius too And Disoscorides, now dead and gone, Galen and Rhazes, Hali, Serapion, Averroes, Avicenna, Constantine, Scotch Bernard, John of Gaddesden, Gilbertine. In her own diet he observed some measure; There were no superfluities for pleasure, Only digestives, nutritive and such. He did not read the Bible very much. In blood-red garments, slashed with bulrush gray And lined with taffeta, he rode his way; Yet he was rather close as to expenses And kept the gold he won in. pestilences. Gold stimulates the heart, so we're told. He therefore had a special love of gold.

Doctor

Who conquered England?

Duke William of Normandy, France, Defeated and killed King Harold of England.

A ___ there was, a wanton and a merry, A limiter, a very festive man. In all the Four Orders is no one that can Equal his gossip and well-spoken speech. He had arranged many a marriage, giving each Of young women, and this at his own cost. For his order he was a noble post. Highly liked by all and intimate was he With franklins everywhere in his country, And with the worthy women living in the city: For his power of confession met no equality That's what he said, in the confession to a curate, For his order he was a licentiate. He heard confession gently, it was said, Gently absolved too, leaving no dread. He was an easy man in penance-giving He knew how to gain a fair living; For to a begging friar, money givenIs sign that any man has been well shriven. For if one gave, he dared to boast bluntly, He took the man's repentance not lightly. For many a man there is so hard of heart He cannot weep however pains may smart. Therefore, instead of weeping and of prayers, Men should give silver to the poor friars. His tippet was always stuffed with pocket-knives And pins, to give to young and pleasing wives. And certainly he possessed a merry note: Well could he sing and play upon the rote. At ballad contests, he bore the prize away. His throat was white as the lily flower I say; Yet strong he was as every champion. In towns he knew the taverns, every one, And every good host and each barmaid too -Better than needy lepers and beggars, these he knew. For unto no such a worthy man as heIt's unsuitable, as far as he could see, To have sick lepers for acquaintances. There is no honest advantageousness In dealing with such poor beggars; It's with the rich victual-buyers and sellers. And generally, wherever profit might arise, Courteous he was and serviceable in men's eyes. There was no other man so virtuous. He was the finest beggar of his house; (And gave a certain fee for his begging rights, None of his brethren dared approach his hights;) For though a widow had no shoes to show,So pleasant was his "In principio", He always got a farthing before he went. His revenue exceeded his costs, it is evident. And he could flirt as well as any pup. He could help resolve disputes that were brought up. In this he was not like a cloisterer, With threadbare cope like the poor scholar, But he was like a lord or like a pope. Of double cloth was his semi-cope, That rounded like a bell, as if straight from the press. He lisped a little, out of wantonness, To make his English soft upon his tongue; And in his harping, when he had sung, His two eyes twinkled in his head as bright As do the stars within the frosty night. This worthy ___ was named Hubert.

Friar

What is chivalry?

It is the rules and customs of knights in the Middle Ages.

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta.

It later became the basis for English constitutional law. It created a system of check and balances for the people in charge, particularly the Church.

What was feudalism?

It was a caste system, a property system, and a military system, and God is viewed as the supreme overlord.

Uther Pendragon

King of Britain and father of Arthur. He gives his son to Merlin for secret upbringing and dies two years later.

There was a ___, a most distinguished man, who from the day on which he first began to ride abroad had followed chivalry, truth, honor, generousness, and courtesy. He had done nobly in his sovereign's war and ridden into battle, no man more, as well in Christian as in heathen places, and ever honored for his noble graces. What we took Alexandria, he was there. He sat at table in the chair of honor, above all nations, when in Prussia. In Lithuania he had ridden, and Russia, no Christian man so often, of his rank. When, in Granada, Algeciras sank under assault, he had been there, and in North Africa, raiding Benamarin; In Anatolia he had been as well and fought when Ayas and Attalia fell, for all along the Mediterranean coast he had embarked with Manny a noble host. In fifteen mortal battles he had been and jousted for our faith at Traissene thrice in the lists, and always killed his man. This same distinguished knight had led the van once with the Bey of Balat, doing work for him against another heathen Turk; he was sovereign value in all eyes. And though so must distinguished, he was wise and in his bearing modest as a maid. He never yet a boorish thing had said in all his life to any, come what might; he was a perfect gentle ___. Speaking of his equipment, he possessed fine horses, but he was not gaily dressed. He wore a fustian tunic stained and dark with smudges where his armor had left mark; just home from service, he had joined our ranks to do his pilgrimage and render thanks.

Knight

The ___ was a chap of sixteen stone, A great stout fellow big in brawn and bone. He did well out of them, for he could go And win the ram at any wrestling show. Broad, knotty, and short-shouldered, he would boast He could heave any door off hinge and post, OR take a run and break it with his head. His beard, like any sow or fox, was red And broad as well, as though it were a spade; And, at its very tip, his nose displayed A wart on which there stood a tuft of hair Red as the bristles in an old sow's ear. His nostrils were as black as they were wide. He had a sword and buckler at his side, His might mouth was like a furnace door. A wrangler and buffoon, he had a store Of tavern stories, filthy in the main. His was a master-hand at stealing grain. He felt it with his thumb and thus he knew Its quality and took three times his due-A thumb of golf, by God, to gauge an oat! He wore a hood of blue and white coat. He liked to play his bagpipes up and down And that was how he brought us out of town.

Miller

A ___ there was, one of the finest sort, An outrider; hunting was his sport; A manly man, to be an abbot able. Very many excellent horses had he in stable: And when he rode men might his bridle hear Jingling in the whistling wind as clear, Also, and as loud as does the chapel bell Where this monk was governour of the cell. The rule of Maurus or Saint Benedict, By reason it was somewhat old and strict, This same monk let such old things slowly pace And followed new-world manners in their place. He gave for that text not a plucked hen Which holds that hunters are not holy men; Nor that a monk, when he is cloisterless, Is like unto a fish that's waterless; That is to say, a monk out of his cloister. But this same text he held not worth an oyster; And I said his opinion was good. Why should he study as a madman would Poring a book in a cloister cell? Or yet Go labour with his hands and work and sweat, As Austin bids? How shall the world be served? Let Austin have his toil to him reserved. Therefore he was a rider day and night; Greyhounds he had, as fast as a bird in flight. Since riding and the hunting of the hare Were all his love, for no cost would he spare. I saw his sleeves were made with fur at the hand With fine grey fur, the finest in the land; Also, to fasten his hood under his chin, He had made of wrought-gold a curious pin: A love-knot in the larger end there was. His head was bald and shone like any glass, And smooth as one anointed was his face. Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot; His boots were soft; his horse of great estate. Now certainly he was a fine prelate: He was not pale as some tormented ghost. A fat swan he loved best of any roast. His palfrey was as brown as is a berry.

Monk

A holy-minded man of good renown There was, and poor, the ___ to a town, Yet he was rich in holy thought and work. He also was a learned man, a clerk, Who truly knew Christ's gospel and would preach it Devoutly to parishioners, and teach it. Benign and wonderfully diligent, and patient when adversity was sent (For so he proved sin much adversity) He hated cursing to extort a fee, Nay rather he preferred beyond a doubt Giving to poor parishioners round about Both from church offerings and his property; He could in little find sufficiency. Wide was his parish, with houses far asunder, Yet he neglected not in rain or thunder, In sickness or in grief, to pay a call On the remotest, whether great or small, Upon his feet, and in his hand a stave. This noble example to his sheep he gave That first he wrought, and afterward he taught And it was from the Gospel he had caught Those words, and he would add this figure too, That if golf rust, what then will iron do? For if a priest be foul in whom we trust No wonder that a common man should rust; And shame it is to see - let priests take shock - A shitten shepherd and a snowy flock. The true example that a priest should give Is one of cleanness, how the sheep should live. He did not set his benefice to hire And leave his sheep encumbered in the mire Or run to London to earn easy bread, Or find some Brotherhood and get enrolled. He stayed at home and watched over his fold So that no wolf should make the sheep miscarry. He was a shepherd and no mercenary. Holy and virtuous he was, but then Never contemptuous of sinful men, Never disdainful, never too proud or fine, But was discreet in teaching and benign. His business was to show a fair behavior And draw men thus to Heaven and their Savior, Unless indeed a man were obstinate; And such, whether of high or low estate, He put to sharp rebuke, to say the least. I think there never was a better priest. He sought no pomp or glory in his dealings, No scrupulosity had spiced his feelings. Christ and His Twelve Apostles and their lore He taught, but followed it himself before.

Parson

The Knight Summary/Description

Perfect

Merlin

Prophet and magician. He arranges for Arthur to be raised by Sir Ector and serves as Arthur's adviser during childhood and the early years of Arthur's reign.

What caused the decline of "the knight in shining armor?"

Revolutionized warfare and the decline in feudal obligations.

Name two authors who wrote about King Arthur.

Sir Thomas Malory and T.H. White

In what century are the EARLIEST accounts of King Arthur? Where is he supposedly from?

Sixth century and he is supposedly from Wales.

He had his son with him, a fine young ___, a lover and cadet, a lad of fire with locks as curly as if they had been pressed. He was some twenty years of age, I guessed. In stature he was of a moderate length, with wonderful agility and strength. He'd seen some service with the cavalry in Flanders and Artois and Picardy and had done valiantly in little space of time, in hope to win his lady's grace. He was embroidered like a meadow right and full of freshest flowers, ride and white. Singing he was, or fluting all the day; He was as fresh as is the month of May. Short was his gown, the sleeves were long and wide; he knew the way to sit a horse and ride. He could make songs and poems and recite, knew how to joust and dance, to draw and write. He loved so hotly that till dawn grew pale he slept as little was a nightingale. Courteous he was, lowly and serviceable, and carved to serve his father at the table.

Squire

Sir Launcelot

The bravest of Arthur's knights. His love for Queen Gwynevere eventually destroys the fellowship of the Round Table. His name is often rendered as Sir Launcelot de Lake or Sir Lancelot.

What used the decline of the Middle Ages?

The growth of the Middle Class and the introduction of gunpowder and a monetary system. The Plague also had a part to play.

Sir Kay

The son of Sir Ector. He and Arthur are reared as brothers. When Arthur becomes king, the churlish Kay is appointed Royal Seneschal and becomes a knight.

Why was the armor of this time period not always beneficial to a warrior?

There was a threat of death in battle because they gave up self-defense for mobility.

What are the "romances of chivalry?"

They are romantic narratives of high adventure glorifying the hero-knight and illustrious kinds.

What were the roles of the women of this time period?

They were to be subservient to a man. For peasant women, they were meant for childbearing, housework, and hard fieldwork. Women of higher station had childbearing and household supervision and sometime manage entire estates.

Why was Thomas a Becket murdered? How did it lead to corruption in the church?

Thomas Beciet often sided with the Pope during disputes which irritated King Henry. Four knights then murdered Becket in the name of the King. This created a gap between the nobility and the Church. This allowed many clergymen to go unchecked.

Camelot

Where Arthur holds his court.

A worthy ___ Was with us, somewhat deaf, which was a pity. In making cloth she showed so great a bent She bettered those of Ypres and of Ghent. In all the parish not the dame dared stir Towards the altar steps in front of her, And if indeed they did, so wrath was she As to be quite put out of charity. Her kerchiefs were of finely woven ground; I dared have sworn they weighed a good ten pound, The ones she wore on Sunday, on her head. Her hose were of the finest scarlet red And gartered tight; her shoes were soft and new. Bold was her face, handsome, and red in hue. A worthy woman all her life, what's more She'd had five husbands, all at the church door, Apart from other company in youth; No need just now to speak of that, forsooth. And she had thrice been in Jerusalem, Seen many strange rivers and passed over them; She'd been to Rome and also to Boulogne, St. James of Compostella and Cologne, And she was skilled in wandering by the way. She had gap-teeth, set widely, truth to say. Easily on an ambling horse she sat Well wimpled up, and on her head a hat As broad as is a buckler or a shield; She had a flowing mantle that concealed Large hips, her heels spurred sharply under that. In company she liked to laugh and chat And knew the remedies for love's mischances, An art in which she knew the oldest dances.

Woman of Bath

The Doctor Summary/Description

believed in horoscopes, shady, prescribed medicine, loved money, away from church

The Friar Summary/Description

could marry, confessions, everything for a price, made penance easy for more money, flirtatious, drank ALOT, suppose to help everyone but does not help the poor (he wants profit from wealthy) (part of church)

The Miller Summary/Description

crude, vulgar, big, strong, liked to and was good at stealing grain, had bagpipes, broad and strong

The Pardoner Summary/Description

had yellow hair as wax, ugly, hypocritical, loved money, he sang to earn money

The Squire Summary/Description

knight's son, curly hair, young (20 years old), had a short gown and long, wide sleeves, trained in combat in love, makes poems, songs, and recites stuff, he can dance, joust, draw, and write