Lecture 5

Question 1

What was the Hundred Years War and how did it influence the British Isles?

Answer 1

Hundred Years War(1337-1453) – decision of ‘England’ to fight for territory in France
Battle of Crecy near Calais (1346)
Much fighting over Gascony
Military revolutions: first use of English cannon, first use of artillery (=Geschütze) in a European battle
Henry V. (1413-1422)
1453: English territories in the south-west were entirely lost
Jeanne d’Arc (1412-1431)
> raised a national movement which united France against the English
The 100 years war: Scotland: border between E and S – battle of Bannockburn

Question 2

How did the status of the English language change during the later Middle Ages?

Answer 2

Spread of English literacy and the increased use of the English language
English became common for formal business
English literature: lyric and romance, comedy and tragedy, allegory
> dominance of the English verse, English miracle and mystery plays

Question 3

What were the ‘Wars of the Roses’ (Name = romantic invention)and what was their result?

Answer 3

Rival houses of Lancaster and York for the throne of England
Red rose (Lancaster) and white rose (York)
August 7, 1485 Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond landed in Wales
Consequences of the wars of the roses:
1. the North gained greater political prominence
2. Great economic hardship
3. end of the Middle Ages and beginning of a new age: Renaissance