A distinct identity Flashcards
Questions based on the "Life in the UK" TSO books but with a little more detail obtained through internet searches.
What languages did English evolve from?
Gradually the following 2 languages combined to become one English language:
- Norman French - which was spoken by the King and his noblemen since the Norman conquest
- Anglo-saxon - which was still spoken by peasants
Name some English words that originated from Norman French?
- Park
- Beauty
Name some English words that originated from Anglo-Saxon?
- Summer
- Apple
- Cow
The Norman French and Anglo-Saxon origin of English has resulted in a number of examples of 2 different words with a similar meaning.
Give an example of this?
- Demand (French)
- Ask (Anglo-Saxon)
By which date did English become the preferred language of the Royal Court and Parliament for official documents?
15th Century
1400
Who wrote “The Canterbury Tales”?
Geoffrey Chaucer
When were “The Canterbury Tales” written?
Chaucer began the tales in 1387 and continued until his death in 1400
What are “The Canterbury Tales”?
- A book by Geoffrey Chaucer
- 24 tales (poems)
- About a group of people going to Canterbury on a pilgrimage
Who was the first person in England to print books using a printing press?
William Caxton
What was one of the first books printed by William Caxton?
The Canterbury Tales
Which Medieval Scottish author wrote “The Bruce”?
John Barbour
When did John Barbour write “The Bruce”?
14th Century
1375
What is John Barbour’s “The Bruce” about?
The Battle of Bannockburn
The Middle Ages saw a change in the type of buildings in Britain.
Name 2 types.
- Castles
- Cathedrals
Name two British castles still in use today.
- Windsor
- Edinburgh
Name a British Cathedral famous for its stained glass?
The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, England, and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe
What resource was an important export for Medieval Britain?
English wool
In the Middle Ages, people came to England from abroad to trade and work.
Name 4 special trade skills and the country they were likely to have come from.
- Weavers from France
- Engineers from Germany
- Glass manufacturers from Italy
- Canal Builders from Holland
When did the Norman conquest end?
11th Century
1075
The Middle Ages saw the development of a national cultural and identity. After the Norman Conquest, the king and his mates spoke Norman French, and the peasants had continued to speak Anglo-Saxon. What language did these two combined create?
An English language.
“Park” and “beauty” in modern English are based on which of these two?
Norman French words.
“Summer”, “apple”, and “cow” in modern English are based on which of these two?
Anglo-Saxon words.
In modern English there are often two words with similar meaning, one from French and one from Anglo Saxon. What are some examples?
“Demand” from French and “Ask” from AngloSaxon.
What happened regarding the English language by 1400AD?
Official documents were being written in England, and English had become the preferred language of the royal court and Parliament.
In the years leading up to 1400, what did Geoffrey Chaucer do?
He wrote a The Canterbury Tales.
What are the Canterbury Tales? What is significant about it?
A series of poems in English about a group of people going to Canterbury on a pilgrimage. The people tell each other stories on the journey and the poems describe the travelers and some of the stories they told. Some of the stories are still told today and have been made into plays and television programs.
Who is William Caxton, and what is his relationship to the Canterbury Tales?
He is thought to be the first person to introduce a printing press into England, in 1476. The book was one of the first to be printed by William using a printing press.
What language was being spoken in Scotland around this time?
Gaelic but the Scots language was developing.
The Middle Ages also saw a change in the type of buildings in Britain. Castles were built in many places in Britain and Ireland, party for defence. Many are in ruins, but which one are still in use today?
Windsor and Edinburgh.
Great Cathedrals were also built, many of these still used for worship. What is an example of one of these?
Lincoln Cathedral
Several of the cathedrals had windows of stained glass, which told stories about what? What is a famous example?
The Bible and Christian saints. The glass in York Minster.
During this period, England was an important trading nation. What became a very important export?
English wool.
People came to England came from abroad to trade and to work, many of which had special skills. Where were these people from, and what skills did they have?
France - Weavers Germany - Engineers Italy - Glass manufacturers Holland - Canal Builders
What is the House of Tudor’s symbol; what did it represent?
Red rose with a white rose inside it. It showed that York and Lancaster were now allies.
How long did the Hundred Years war actually last?
116 years
When was the Battle of Agincourt?
15th Century
1415
Why was the outcome of the Battle of Agincourt surprising?
King Henry V was victorious
even though his English army
was vastly outnumbered by the French
