"You're English majors, but maybe some of you will grow up to be medievalists."
Today in my Chaucer class was the best day ever:
Professor Bishop: Here is why "rebel" is such a loaded word for Chaucer to have Harry Bailly say. *explains about Jack Straw and John Ball and Wat Tyler and the Peasant's Revolt*
Caitlin: *scribble scribble* This is so cool. Yay revolts!
Professor Bishop: When they got to London, they also killed the Archbishop of Canterbury, as well as John of Gaunt, who was the uncle of King Richard II.
Caitlin: Ooh, death.
Professor Bishop: Now, King Richard II was the grandson of the former king, King Edward III. King Richard's father, the Black Prince, was supposed to have been king, but he died before King Edward III did.
Caitlin: *
get_medieval finally starts fitting into a certain historical framework* OMG Black Prince dies! OMG poor Fair Maid of Kent! *feels geeky*
Professor Bishop: Richard's uncles ruled for him during the first few years he was king, because he was so young, but the Peasant's Revolt brought him into the historical spotlight. History suggests he might have met with the leaders of the revolt, and there are actually documents with Richard's seal on them that contain fulfillments of some of the peasant's demands.
Caitlin: This. Is. So. Cool.
Professor Bishop: *intrigue! suspicion! historic geekery!*
Class: *ends*
Caitlin: Professor Bishop, everything you were saying about all the intrigue and drama surrounding Richard II and England at that time sounds really cool.
Professor Bishop: It is! It's the best!
Caitlin: Do you know any good books about it, because I really want to know more.
Professor Bishop: Yes! Here's what you should read: *lists authors and books*
Caitlin: Great! Thanks! *yay for books!*
I don't know if I'll grow up to be a medievalist, but I'm excited to read about historical intrigue, for sure!
Unrelatedly, bunny yawns.