Medieval English Literature

10 Questions

What was the status of English as a literary medium before 1360?

It was secondary to French

What is a characteristic of English writing during the medieval period?

It was local and had few authors and dates

What is a consequence of simplifying the history of English literature?

It allows the Renaissance to take credit for earlier developments

Who are some examples of medieval authors who contributed to the development of modern forms of literature?

Julian of Norwich, Malory, Chaucer, and his peers

How long had drama been popular before Shakespeare?

For ten generations

What event in 1066 marked the beginning of a period for medieval writing?

The arrival of the Normans

What was the outcome of the marriage between Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York?

The birth of a son named Arthur

What was the fate of many manuscripts by 1700?

They were used as firelighters or worse

What was the significance of the year 1476 for English literature?

The introduction of the printing press

What was the result of Henry VIII's divorce from Katherine of Aragon in 1533?

The break with Rome and a separate English nation-state

Study Notes

Medieval Writing and Literature

Medieval writing was done by hand, and the period began and ended with the arrival of two conquerors: Normans in 1066 and the printing press in 1476.
The Norman conquest of 1066 affected English literature, which took some generations to recover.

Middle English (ME) Period

After 1066, English literature recovered completely, flowering in different dialects under Richard II.
Three centuries later, London English offered a more stable literary medium.
By the 15th century, Middle English (ME) had assumed its modern form, except in spelling.

The End of Middle English and the Renaissance

The first printed English book appeared in 1476, marking the end of the Middle English period.
The Wars of the Roses ended in 1485, and the marriage of Henry Tudor and Elizabeth of York led to the establishment of a separate English nation-state.

Impact of Printing and Protestantism

With the establishment of printing and Protestantism, manuscripts containing vernacular writing were neglected and eventually lost.
By 1700, some manuscripts were being used as firelighters or worse.

Survival of Literature

Survival of medieval literature was chancy, with some works by Chaucer and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight being lost or not printed until the 19th century.
Literature during this period was written in three languages: Latin, Norman French, and English (a welter of dialects).

Evolution of the English Language and Literature

English writing was local, with few authors and dates, making it difficult to establish a clear literary history.
After 1360, English gained parity with French as a literary medium, with the English language evolving its modern nature and structure.
Literature found modern forms in the medieval period, including prose, verse, and drama.
Drama had been popular for ten generations before Shakespeare.