Download British Middle Ages: Geography, Kingdoms, and Historical Sites and more Study notes History in PDF only on Docsity! British Middle Ages Resource Guide 73 Historical and Outline Maps British Isles The British Isles were known of by Greek navigators as far back as 220 B.C., but they were not explored and settled by the Ancients until the Roman conquest in the first century A.D. The original inhabitants were Celts, and Gaelic languages were still spoken in parts of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales up until the 19 th century. The Southern portion of Great Britain, better known as England, was not inhabited by English-speaking settlers until the 6 th century. Geography Terms Islands: Great Britain: Largest British Isle, composed of England, Scotland, and Wales. Ireland: (Roman Hibernia) Large Island to the west of Great Britain. Isle of Wright (Roman Vectis) Island off south England, near Portsmouth harbor. Isle of Mann: Island between Scotland and North Ireland. Isle of Anglesey: Island off the North coast of Wales. Regions: Scotland: Northern region of Great Britain, home to the Celtic Scots, Picts. England: Southern region of Great Britain, home of the Anglo-Saxon English. Wales: Western region of Great Britain; home of the Celtic Welsh. Ireland: Western Island, a.k.a. Erin, Eire, Scotia, Hibernia, Water Bodies: English Channel, Strait of Dover, North Sea, Irish Sea St. Georges Channel, The Wash, Bristol Channel Maps: British Isles—Outline Map British Isles—Physical Map Norman Conquest, 1070. British Middle Ages Resource Guide 75 British Middle Ages Resource Guide 85 British Middle Ages Resource Guide 95 Plantagenet Empire The Normans, who conquered England in 1066 were originally rulers of Normandy, a Duchy in the North of France. For three generations, the Normans held both England and Normandy. When the throne fell to Henry Plantagenet, he married Eleanor of Aquitaine, heir to Aquitaine and Gascony, two of the most prosperous provinces in Southern France. For many years, therefore, the Plantagenets rule both England and much of France. This led to many wars between England and France, culminating in the Hundred Years War between 1337 and 1453. By end of the Plantagenet reign, almost all holdings in France were lost to the Empire. Plantagenet Holdings in France Normandy Dukedom in Northern France controlled by Normans. Aquitaine, Gascony Provinces in Southwest France bequeathed to Plantagenets by Eleanor of Aquitaine, wife of Henry II. Anjou French province south of Normandy, home of Margaret of Anjou, leader of the Lancaster faction and wife of Henry VI. Maine Province south of Normandy, sometimes controlled by the Normans. Flanders Burgundian Province directly across the Strait of Dover. Site of Calais. Hundred Years War Battles Sluys—1340 Important English naval victory over France. Crecy—1346 Decisive victory for England. English longbows defeated French knights. Calais—1346 English conquer French port town directly across the Strait of Dover. Poitiers—1356 Major English victory, Black Prince captures the King of France. Agincourt—1415 Henry V leads English to a dramatic victory over French. Oleans—1429 Joan of Arc relieves Orleans and makes great gains for France. French Rivers Seine—Major French river, site of Paris, Rouen. Loire—Major French river, site of Orleans, Tours, French Cities Bayeux—Major city on the coast of Normandy. Famed for its Tapestry. Rouen—Capital of Normandy. Paris—Capital of France. 96 Heritage Classical Curriculum Maps: Outline Map: Plantagenet Empire Angevin Empire, 1100 A. D. England and France, 1250 A. D.
