Middle English Period (1066 – 1500)
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The Middle English Period begins with the Norman Conquest in 1066 and ends in 1500. There are two ages from 1066 to 1340 which is called the Anglo-Norman Period and from 1340 to 1400 which is called the Age of Chaucer. Then there are 100 more years left. During these 100 years, there are no important writings of poets and writers. This is why it is called Barren Age or Dark Age.
Read Mor: Write a short note on Black Death
During the Middle English Period, some important events took place which had a great influence on English literature. One of them is the Black Death which is a type of pandemic. This happened between 1348 and 1349. After the Black Death, the Feudal System basically collapsed. Printing Press was invented by William Caxton in 1476 which greatly improved the literary practice. The Middle English Period saw the Hundred Years’ War, which began with King Edward III of England claiming the French succession. This war started in 1337 and ended in 1453. If you calculate the years, it is 116 years but in history, it is known as the Hundred Years’ War.
During the Middle English Period, Bible translation took place between 1382 and 1395. This work began under the leadership of John Wycliffe. He was a famous philosopher, theologian, and Catholic priest. He originally translated the Bible from Latin into English. To study the Middle English Period, one must know Geoffrey Chaucer well. He was an all-rounder person. He is called the Father of Modern English Poetry, the Father of English Literature, and the greatest English poet of the Middle age. Besides, he was a poet, writer, philosopher, astronomer, bureaucrat, parliamentarian, and diplomat. He could speak fluent French and English. He is also a soldier. He participated in the Hundred Years’ War.
The Features of the Middle English Period
The Norman Conquest: A significant event in the Middle English Period was the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Normans, led by William the Conqueror, invaded England and brought their French language and culture. It greatly influenced the English language and literature.
The Transition from Old English: The Norman Conquest caused the transition from Old English to Middle English. The English language has evolved by incorporating French and Latin vocabulary and adopting new grammatical structures. This change affected the literature of the time.
Literature in Vernacular: In the Middle English Period, writing was done in the vernacular or the everyday spoken language of the people instead of Latin. It allows a large audience to engage with and enjoy literature.
Romance and Chivalry: The Middle English Period saw a rise in literature that focused on romance and chivalry. Knights, quests, and romance were popular themes in stories like “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight” and “Le Morte d’Arthur,” which captured readers’ imaginations.
Religious Themes: Religion played a central role in the Middle English Period. Many works include religious themes such as religious allegory, the lives of saints, and moral teachings. The most famous example is Geoffrey Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” which features a diverse group of pilgrims on a journey to a holy shrine.
Read More: Discuss the influence of the Renaissance on English literature.
Allegory and Moralizing Literature: The Middle English Period often used allegories, where characters or events represented abstract ideas or moral concepts. It helps writers convey moral lessons and social commentary. Langland’s “Piers Plowman” is a notable example of a moral allegory.
Courtly Love: The concept of courtly love, a highly idealized and ritualized form of romantic love, also became prominent in medieval literature. The poems and stories deal with themes of failed love, addiction or devotion, and codes of conduct between lovers.
Manuscript Culture: Books were meticulously hand-copied and published in the Middle English Period. Manuscripts were valuable resources and literary works were primarily circulated in handwritten form before the invention of the printing press. This fostered a close relationship between the reader and the text, as each copy was unique and personal.
Alliterative Verse: In the early Middle English Period, Alliterative Verse (a poetic form that relies on repeated consonant sounds) was popular. This can be seen in works such as “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. Later, this form gave way to rhythmic verse influenced by French poetry.
Major Writers of the Middle English Period and Their Major Works
John Wycliffe (1324-84), the father of English prose, Morning Star:
The Bible (translated into English from Latin)
John Gower (1325-1408):
Confessio Amantis (1390)
Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400), Father of Modern English Poetry, Father of English Literature, and The greatest English poet of the Middle Age:
Troilus and Criseyde (1387)
Canterbury Tales (1385-1400)
William Langland (1332-1386):
“Piers Plowman” (1362)
Sir Thomas Malory (1400 – 1470):
Morte d’ Arthur (1485), the first romance in prose
Read more: Why is Chaucer called the Father of English Poetry
