Middle English Literature: 1066-1485
Middle English Period: 1066-1485
Medieval English literature is commonly dated between 1100/1150 and 1500, or more precisely between 1066 (Battle of Hastings) and 1509 (death of Henry VII and accession of Henry VIII).
Middle Ages: A Time of Transformation
The Middle Ages was a period of military struggle, political and religious unrest, increasing nationalistic spirit, and the consolidation of a national identity in social affairs, politics, religion, language, and arts. The year 1066 marked the beginning of a new period as it was the year of some crucial events: the death of Edward the Confessor, the accession of Harold Hardrada to the throne, Harold’s defeat at the Battle of Stamford Bridge, followed by the Battle of Hastings, resulting in William of Normandy becoming King of England. William invaded England, and his supporters were rewarded with the lands and titles of the English nobles. The result was a new aristocracy in England that was almost entirely French. The French language became the language of the ruling class, and the French nobles showed no interest in learning the language of their new land. English continued to be spoken by many people, but it was the language of the uncultivated. The English language was enriched with thousands of French words, becoming more cosmopolitan and flexible for literary expression. Henry II was crowned King in 1154 and brought a judicial system, royal courts, juries, and chivalry to Britain. It was a period of massive social change, burgeoning nationalism, international conflict, and terrible natural disaster. The Church instructed its people through morality and miracle plays. The Catholic Church became the most powerful institution of this period.
Literary Periods within Middle English
The effects on literary production help us distinguish different periods:
- 1100-1250: English was the language of only the lower classes. English writings at this date are predominantly religious, representing the efforts of the Church to instruct the common people.
- 1250-1350: When the upper classes began to adopt English, we get a much more varied literature in the native language. Writing became a form of entertainment and edification.
- 1350-1500: This age is characterized by great works by Geoffrey Chaucer, William Langland, John Gower, the Gawain-poet, and Caxton.
Genres and Notable Works
Medieval English literature was a period of prose and poetry. Literary history added to these two already established genres a third one: drama. The prose of medieval English literature receives its distinction from the writing of chronicles and prose romances, John Wycliffe’s sermons and translation of the Bible, and Sir John Mandeville’s travel book. In poetry, it was the period of metrical romances, including Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.
Key Characteristics of Middle English Literature
- Impersonality: A great deal of Middle English literature is anonymous.
- Textual Variation: In the process of textual transmission, any written production was subject to the vagaries of scribal practices.
- Imitatio: There was a differing attitude towards originality, which was not a requirement for medieval authors.
- Orality/Aurality: Much of the literature was meant to be listened to rather than read.