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Main article: Anglo-Saxon literature
BeowulfOld English period :450-1066 The earliest form of English literature developed after the settlement of the Saxons and other Germanic tribes in England after the withdrawal of the Romans and is known as Old English or Anglo-Saxon. Epic poem Beowulf is the most famous work in Old English. A hero of the Geats, Beowulf battles three antagonists: Grendel, Grendel's mother; and a Dragon. The only surviving manuscript is the Nowell Codex. The precise date of the manuscript is debated, but most estimates place it close to the year 1000.(The oldest surviving text in English is Cædmon's Hymn)
A popular poem of the time was "The Dream of the Rood." It was inscribed upon the Ruthwell Cross.
Another poem was "Judith (poem)." It was a retelling of the story found in the Latin Bible's Book of Judith of the beheader of the Assyrian general Holofernes.
Chronicles contained a range of historical and literary accounts; one example is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
[edit] Late medieval literature in England
Latin literature circulated among the educated classes.
Following the Norman Conquest, the development of Anglo-Norman literature in the Anglo-Norman realm introduced literary trends from Continental Europe such as the chanson de geste.
Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English literatureIn the later medieval period a new form of English now known as Middle English evolved. This is the earliest form which is comprehensible to modern readers and listeners, albeit not easily.
The most significant Middle English author was the poet Geoffrey Chaucer who was active in the late 14th century. His main works were The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde.
The multilingual audience for literature in the 14th century can be illustrated by the example of John Gower, who wrote in Latin, Middle English and Anglo-Norman.
Religious literature, such as hagiographies enjoyed popularity.
Women writers such as Marie de France and Julian of Norwich were also active.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Most likely the Pearl Poet)
Le Morte d'Arthur (Sir Thomas Malory)
BeowulfOld English period :450-1066 The earliest form of English literature developed after the settlement of the Saxons and other Germanic tribes in England after the withdrawal of the Romans and is known as Old English or Anglo-Saxon. Epic poem Beowulf is the most famous work in Old English. A hero of the Geats, Beowulf battles three antagonists: Grendel, Grendel's mother; and a Dragon. The only surviving manuscript is the Nowell Codex. The precise date of the manuscript is debated, but most estimates place it close to the year 1000.(The oldest surviving text in English is Cædmon's Hymn)
A popular poem of the time was "The Dream of the Rood." It was inscribed upon the Ruthwell Cross.
Another poem was "Judith (poem)." It was a retelling of the story found in the Latin Bible's Book of Judith of the beheader of the Assyrian general Holofernes.
Chronicles contained a range of historical and literary accounts; one example is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
[edit] Late medieval literature in England
Latin literature circulated among the educated classes.
Following the Norman Conquest, the development of Anglo-Norman literature in the Anglo-Norman realm introduced literary trends from Continental Europe such as the chanson de geste.
Geoffrey Chaucer, father of English literatureIn the later medieval period a new form of English now known as Middle English evolved. This is the earliest form which is comprehensible to modern readers and listeners, albeit not easily.
The most significant Middle English author was the poet Geoffrey Chaucer who was active in the late 14th century. His main works were The Canterbury Tales and Troilus and Criseyde.
The multilingual audience for literature in the 14th century can be illustrated by the example of John Gower, who wrote in Latin, Middle English and Anglo-Norman.
Religious literature, such as hagiographies enjoyed popularity.
Women writers such as Marie de France and Julian of Norwich were also active.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (Most likely the Pearl Poet)
Le Morte d'Arthur (Sir Thomas Malory)
