Norman Conquest and English Literature

Anglo-Norman Period in English Literature

• Popular forms of writing during this period include chronicles, religious and didactic writing, poetry, romances, and drama.
• The Normans introduced romantic tales of love and adventure, making the Anglo-Norman period chivalric rather than heroic.

Romances in Anglo-Norman Period

• Romance became the most popular form of literature during this period.
• These romances were famous for their stories rather than poetry.
• Most of them originated from Latin and French sources.
• They told stories of King Arthur, The War of Troy, Charlemagne, and Alexander the Great.

Chronicles in Anglo-Norman Period

• Chronicles became a well-established form of writing during this period.
• These chronicles recorded the history of kings and contained historical events and legendary material without interpretation or comment.
• They became the major source of historical knowledge for medieval people.

Norman Conquest and Its Impact

• The Norman Conquest brought a radical change in English culture, law, language, and character.
• English became the language of the poor and powerless, while Norman-French became the language of the rich and a symbol of social status and prestige.
• The Anglo-Normans wrote mainly to cater to the taste of Norman rulers.
• The Norman Conquest stimulated the awakening of the people, leading to national unity and the introduction of new ideas, knowledge, and art forms.

Norman Culture and Its Influence

• The Normans brought soldiers, artisans, traders, chroniclers, minstrels, and scholars to England.
• They helped to revive knowledge, record memorable events, celebrate victories, and sing of love and adventure.
• The Norman Conquest led to a new era in English literature, with the emergence of Norman-French Literature or Anglo-French Literature.