Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • Anglo-Saxon Literature

    Uploaded by

    Antonina Bitskov
    6 views3 pages
    This document summarizes Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and 16th century literature in Britain. It describes how Old English emerged as a combination of Briton and Germanic languages after Germanic tribes invaded Britain in the 5th century. Literary works from this era included heroic and religious poetry, as well as prose by King Alfred. The Norman invasion in 1066 divided medieval literature into Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman periods. Middle English then developed from a blending of Old English and French. Major works included Arthurian legends and Geoffrey Chaucer's writings. The 16th century was a period of revival influenced by the Renaissance, printing press, and Protestant Reformation. Notable authors included Thomas Malory, Christine

    Original Description:

    Original Title

    1-4

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Report this Document
    This document summarizes Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and 16th century literature in Britain. It describes how Old English emerged as a combination of Briton and Germanic languages after Germanic tribes invaded Britain in the 5th century. Literary works from this era included heroic and religious poetry, as well as prose by King Alfred. The Norman invasion in 1066 divided medieval literature into Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman periods. Middle English then developed from a blending of Old English and French. Major works included Arthurian legends and Geoffrey Chaucer's writings. The 16th century was a period of revival influenced by the Renaissance, printing press, and Protestant Reformation. Notable authors included Thomas Malory, Christine

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    6 views3 pages

    Anglo-Saxon Literature

    Uploaded by

    Antonina Bitskov
    This document summarizes Anglo-Saxon, Medieval, and 16th century literature in Britain. It describes how Old English emerged as a combination of Briton and Germanic languages after Germanic tribes invaded Britain in the 5th century. Literary works from this era included heroic and religious poetry, as well as prose by King Alfred. The Norman invasion in 1066 divided medieval literature into Anglo-Saxon and Anglo-Norman periods. Middle English then developed from a blending of Old English and French. Major works included Arthurian legends and Geoffrey Chaucer's writings. The 16th century was a period of revival influenced by the Renaissance, printing press, and Protestant Reformation. Notable authors included Thomas Malory, Christine

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Flag for inappropriate content
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    ANGLO-SAXON LITERATURE

    Britons-original inhabitants of Britain lived there from 55 BC, in 410 AD Germanic group came into
    Britain and invited it. Germanic group consisted of Angels(the dominant ones, that’s why we know a
    part of GB as England), Saxons, and Jutes. They started living with Britons.

    Angle Land -> England


    Anglo Saxon Period/Old English Literature 410 to 1066 AD
    Old English is a combination of the original language spoken by Britons and language spoken by
    Germanic tribes.

    Literary characteristics
    Dark age – England was in war with invaders(Vikings). People were so activated in war, they didn’t have
    time to write any scientific documents/texts
    -little scientific and cultural advancement
    -no printing press
    -major works have been lost due to oral transmission

    Major literary works


    Kinds of poetry

    Heroic poetry Religious poetry


    HP-poetry written by Anglo Saxons, they didn’t believe in god and wrote about heroism(Beowulf)
    RP-poetry written by Britons, because they were converted to Christianity, they write about their idols
    which was very good seen in their poetry

    Prose
    King Alfred
    Old English prose: Bade historia ecclestica, The Consolation of Philosophy, The Anglo-Saxon chronicle

    MEDIEVAL LITERATURE/BEFORE CHANCER AND AGE OF CHANCER


    Middle English Period

    Before Chancer Age of Chancer Age of Revival

    1066-1300 1300-1400 1400-1500

    William the Conqueror – duke of Normandy(place in France). Defatted the kind of England (Herold) in
    the Battle of Hastings(1066 AD). Started Anglo-Norman period.

    Language of Germanic tribes + Language of Norman = Anglo Norman Language

    The Battle of Hastings divided literature in 2 periods: Anglo Saxon(before the battle) and Anglo-
    Norman(after the battle)

    Language development

    Anglo-French become the official language. All the aristocratic people were speaking Franch, Middle
    class(and lower classes) were speaking Old English

    Old English + French = Middle English


    Schools were widespread all over Europe, after the Crusades(religious war between Eastern part of the
    world and European countries). When they returned they brought a lot of Greek and Roman books.
    Colleges and schools started to separate from Charge, Cambridge and Oxford were created

    Literary works

    Chanson de Geste – The Bous King Arthur – the knights used to sit in a round table and they all went into
    different quests to find Holy Grail

    Le Morte D’Arthur by Thomas Malroy

    Historical background

    -100 Years War(1337-1453)

    * England lost the battle of Hastings, they fought against France to regain their territories back. The
    most significant battle - England won by using longbows to defeat the French army.

    -Black Death- peasants were dying and didn’t have money

    -Peasant’s Revolt- 1381

    Geoffrey Chaucer – participated in 100 Years War, knew so many people so was able to look at their
    perspective of the world and write about their experience in one of his books. His followers who are
    inspired by him and write books based on his books are called Chaucerians.

    16TH CENTURY LITERATURE/AGE OF REVIVAL


    -revival of all literature was happening-people started looking back and started reading ancient Greek
    and Roman texts, because of Crusades. People started to appreciate poetry and the new writers stared
    imitate them(Period of the Renaissance - meaning: rebirth, ‘revival of art and learning’. Strived to revive
    the culture of classical Greece and Rome, but instead creating a new culture)

    -Protestant’s revolution

    Historical context

    -War of Roses – 2 political groups were fighting against one another(House of Lancaster (red rose) and
    House of York(white rose))

    -Arrival of Printing Press- came to Europe during the age of revival; William Caxton – brought it to
    London. Wooden block printing

    -Henry the 8 & his 6 Wives- remarried(killed his wives) because he didn't have a male child; started the
    Anglican Charge

    -Voyages- Columbus discovered America in 1492

    Writers

    -Thomas Malory- Le Morte d’Arthur

    -Christine De Pizan- first female writer who took writing as a career

    -Margery Kempe- The Book of Margery Kempe- started writing down what she is going through, what it
    is to be a woman in that time, what it feels like to take care of so many responsibilities
    -Julian of Norwich- 16 Revelations of Divine Love- dedicated her life to God

    All shall be well, and all shall be well,

    And all manner of thing shall be well

    You might also like