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# Medieval Period ## Time Period The Medieval period (5th Century to Late 15th Century) spans approximately from 500 to 1500 CE. This era is often divided into three sub-periods: - The Early Middle Ages (Fall of Roman influence and the rise of local kingdoms in 500-1000 CE). - High Middle Ages (F...

# Medieval Period ## Time Period The Medieval period (5th Century to Late 15th Century) spans approximately from 500 to 1500 CE. This era is often divided into three sub-periods: - The Early Middle Ages (Fall of Roman influence and the rise of local kingdoms in 500-1000 CE). - High Middle Ages (Feudalism in 1000-1300 CE). - Late Middle Ages (Rise of renaissance in 1300-1500 CE). ## Brief Overview This time period is commonly known as “The Middle Ages.” It is a literary period where literature shifted from Latin to vernacular, and the oral transmission of stories began to be recorded. Overall, Medieval Literature encompasses all literary work written in Latin or the vernacular (The common language of the people) between 5th Century to Late 15th Century. The literature of this time was also marked by the dominance of religious writings, feudal themes as well as secular works. ## Key Events and/or Movement * Rise of Chivalry * The Crusades * Establishment of Universities * Growth of Vernacular Literature * Rise of the Catholic Church * The Black Death * The Norman Conquest * Invention of the Printing Press * Spread of Islam ## Key Stylistic Characteristics * Allegory and Symbolism * Oral tradition * Vernacular languages alongside Latin * Religious and moralistic themes * Courtly love and Chivalric Tales * Anonymity of writers ## Common Genres * Epic Poetry * Chanson de geste * Romance * Hagiography * Illuminated manuscripts * Miracle Plays * Morality Plays * Mystery Plays * Liturgical Drama * Ballads * Allegorical Works * Religious Texts * Historical writings ## Common Themes * Courtly Love * Chivalry * Religion and Morality * Fate and Fortune * Religion and Spirituality * Loyalty and Feudalism * Human Condition * Heroism and Adventure ## Influential Authors and/or Iconic Texts * Geoffrey Chaucer - _The Canterbury Tales_ * Dante Alighieri - _The Divine Comedy_ * _Beowulf_ - Old English Epic * _The Song of Roland_ (French epic) * _Everyman_ (Morality play)