Complete middle age of English literature

Middle age  *  English literature

(1066 - 1500) French

The King of Britain in 1600 was Harold Godwinson.

 Then William the conqueror attacked Britain and started ruling there.

 King William the conqueror brought French language with him after becoming king.

 Become Anglo - Normons then

 English poet - Layamon's - Brut (History of Britain)

 Jhon Wycliffe's - Bible

Middle age is divided into three parts.

Before Chaucer

Age of Chaucer

After Chaucer

Before Chaucer ---

Middle age was the age within which the English language began to emerge. At that time, English language came to be known as a language. But the English language was not so popular. In this time, the English language was better than old English. But not as good as modern English

 . That is why the English language of that time is called Middle English.

Magna Carta--

 

- also known as The Great Charter.

The king of that time was a very tyrannical king. A decree was prepared to stop his atrocities. And on 15th of June- 1215, King John's signature was taken on that decree. Within which there were some restrictions imposed on the king.

 At that time, three types of articles were written

 1. war

 2. Religious

 3. Romance

 At that time it was very difficult for the common man to buy books. Because books were handwritten. In that time, writers had to come to England to learn to write. And the university was built in those days itself.

Cambridge University --1209

Oxford University -- 1167

 Famous work of that time

 The owl and the Nightingale - This is called Debate poetry.  Because it shows the debate between owl or Nightingale

 Ormulum by Orm - This is a religious book.

 In it, the Bible is told in easy language.  Christianity had become quite popular at that time.  This is the first work written in poetic from.

 "The Roman de la Rosa" is the most important work, which means - The Romance of the Rose.  It has been considered the most effective article.

 Layman's Brut - The time before middle age is described.

 Written by Robert Mannyng - Brunne.  He was a monk but he was also a historian.  This was the person who first wrote about himself.

 Alternative Revival- (1350 - 1500)

Age of Chaucer ---

Political conditions -

The Hunderd Years War

As we know At that time, King Harold Godwinson of Britain was defeated by King William the Conqueror of France. And had established his dominion over Britain. He held his authority over both England and France. Time passed and the incoming rulers also followed this policy. The incoming rulers also began to rule France and England. This was the reason that tensions between England and France continued to escalate.

The war started in the time of Edward 3rd.

Edward 3rd was the ruler of England at the time.

Charles 4th was the ruler of France.

When Charles 4th died. And he had no children. At that time, after the death of the father, the son was made the king in place of the father.

 Then Isabella, the mother of Edward 3rd and sister of Charles 4th, proposed to make Edward 3rd the ruler of France. But this proposal was not accepted by the people of France.

 This was the reason that there was so much anger among the people of France that there was a war between England and France and this war lasted for more than 100 years.

Other Problems

Black death (plague)

 It was a disease that killed 30 to 40% of Europeans.

Peasent Rebellion -

Also known as Tyler's Rebellion. Tyler was the leader of the peasants.

This time is also known from the time of Chaucer. Chaucer also took part in this war at the time when there was a war between France and Britain. And when Chaucer was taken hostage by the French troops. It was Edward 3rd who freed him by giving him a price of a few pounds.

 Chaucer loved visiting different places and meeting the people there and getting information about them all. He was very intelligent. They have traveled too much.

 Chaucer was heavily influenced by Italian and Renesha.

After Chaucer ---

The work at that time was all copied. The work style of Chaucer's work is copied, hence they are called Chaucerians. King Maharajas were praised in the writings of that time. Most of the articles were written on religion. Schools were being built at that time. But there were no readers. At that time churches were building schools. Because the clergy were educated. Most of the articles were written by the clergy. But he used to write works related to all religions. Where did Romance of Religion go. At that time, English had made an identity of its own. But Priest used to write his articles in Latin language. At that time hundred years war was going on.

 People did not like politics happening at that time.

 At that time some female writers also emerged. All had written in their time how women can improve their lives. And what was the condition of women at that time.

Middle age Launguage --

Chinese, Arabic, Japanese, Ethiopic, Coptic among many other language.

Latin- Roman Catholic Church, Which dominated western and central Europe.

Characteristics of middle English -- 

Grammar, Vocabulary.

Characteristic of middle literature -- 

1. Chivalric romance.

2. Religious themes.

3. Travel literature.

Theme --

Launguage and voice. Heroes and heroines, Form and genre, Faith and religion.

 Characteristics ---

Very Religious, Land wealth- power, Dangerous lots of war, Scientific, Respect based on family.

Important writers ---

 Poet

Caedmon - English poet.

Geoffrey Chaucer - (1343- 1400) English poet.

Jhon Grower - English poet.

More de France - Poet.

Christine de Pizan - Poet.

Dente Alighieri - 1265 - 1321 Italian Poet.

Wolfram von Eschenbach -(1170-1220) German Poet.

Beroul - (1160-1213)Poet.

Thomas of Britain- Poet.

Wave - (1100-1175)Poet.

Author_____

Catherine of Siena -(1347-1380) Author.

William Langland - (1332-1386) Author.

John Mandeville - (1300-1371) Author.

Jean de Meun - (1250-1305) French Author

Other writers--

William Caxton (Diplomat) Writer.

Margery Kempe - (1373-1438) writer.

Giovanni Boccaccio - (1313-1375) Italian writer.

Thomas Marlory - (1415-1471) writer.

Marco Polo - (1254-1324) Merchant Writer.

Julian of Norwich ( English anchoress).

Bede - 735 A.D. saint.

Hildegard of Bengen - (1098-1179) Saint.

Boethins - 524 A.D. Philosopher.

Heloise - French Philosopher.

Thomas Aquinas - 1225-1274, Italian Philosopher.