Dai fatti alla Storia - volume 1

Medieval Monarchies in Europe It is over 70 metres long and is on display at Bayeux, in Normandy, France. It was commissioned by Odo, who was the half-brother of William the Conqueror, and the bishop of Bayeux, with the aim to celebrate the Norman conquest of England. The events are narrated from the point of view of the winners and the role of Odo in the events is emphasized in the scenes of the tapestry. A large part of the embroidery is dedicated to the Battle of Hastings, in 1066, when the Duke of Normandy William, later known as William the Conqueror, defeated the Anglo-Saxon King Harold II. The embroidery can be considered a historical source, but it is necessary to interpret it very carefully because with it the conquerors tried to legitimize their actions. It is a very important source of social history, since it describes daily life, objects and clothes of that time in detail, as a contemporary saw them. ACTIVITY 4.C Pair work Working with a partner complete the wh-questions (who, where, when, what and why) and the answers using the words below. The necessary information can be found in the text and the image of the Primary Source. Using the answers you have given, prepare a short oral description. is happening celebrate feast is working where take place defeat Battle of Hastings servants royal banquet cooking open air Who (1.) ............ ... in the image? There are (2.) ............ ... working in the image. (3.) ............ ... are they working? They are working in the (4.) ............ ... . When did this event (5.) ............ ... ? The event took place after the (6.) ............ ... , in 1066. What (7.) ............ ... in the image? The servants are preparing a (8.) ............ ... in the open air and they are (9.) ............ ... chickens on skewers over an outdoor oven. Why is a (10.) ............ ... prepared? It has been prepared to (11.) ............ ... William the Conqueror s (12.) ............ ... of the Anglo-Saxon King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. The Origin of the English Parliament The Magna Charta Libertatum (1215) changed the relationship between the king and his subjects in England. The institution of Parliament originated on this basis. At the beginning Parliament was composed by the king, with his prerogatives, and by the barons, with their privileges. It served as a consultant for the king on issues related to taxation. From 1258 fifteen barons permanently flanked the king to discuss and exercise control on wider matters of English governance. The first Parliament was made up of nobles and clergy, but from 1295 representatives of the bourgeoisie, that emerged when boroughs developed into cities, also began to take part in the sessions. In the 14th century the parliamentary structure changed as two different assemblies conducted debates in two different chambers. The House of Lords, whose membership was granted by heredity, was composed of the feudal lords and also the bishops and abbots. The House of Commons was composed of the knights of the shire and the local representatives of the towns, or burgesses, who were elected. In this way the most important components of English society were represented at the highest levels. The Parliament enlarged its sphere of intervention. It dealt not only with fiscal policy but also with judicial and legislative issues. Under the reign of King Edward I (1272-1307) parliamentary meetings became frequent and regular, and they were held near the small village of Westminster, where the present Houses of Parliament were built later on. ACTIVITY 4.D Read the text The Origin of the English Parliament and complete the timeline. Fifteen barons permanently flanked the king to discuss and exercise control on wider matters of English governance. 1215 ...... Under the reign of King Edward I parliamentary meetings became frequent and regular. 1295 ...... 575 77636R_0000E01_INTE_BAS@0575.pgs 15.09.2021 15:01