The Middle English Period (1066-1500)

This period started with the Norman Conquest in 1066 and ended with the end of fifteenth century. There are two shorter ages in this period. The span from 1066 to 1340 is called Anglo-Norman Period because the literature of that period was written mainly in Anglo- Norman, the French dialect spoken by the new ruling class of England. The period from 1340 to 1400 is called the Age of Chaucer because Chaucer, the great poet, dominated this period. The timefrom 1066 to 1500 is also called The Middle Ages. The early part of the Middle Ages is called the Dark Ages because what actually happened during that time can hardly be known. The remarkable events of this period were:

 (1)          The English parliament was established in 1295.

(2)          Crusade, the religious battle between Muslims and Christians, took place in between 11th and 13th century.

(3)          Magna Charta, the great charter which limited the power of the monarchs was passed on 15th June, 1215.

(4)          In 1362 English was declared to be the language of law and courts

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(5)          The Feudal System which was very strong, broke up after the Black Death, a plague in 1348-49.

(6)          In the fourteenth century Reformation of English Church began under the leadership of John Wyclif.

(7)          William Caxton established printing press in 1476.

(8)          Renaissance began with the fall of the then Constantinople in 1453. Mohamad II, the Sultan of the Ottoman Turks and a crusader, defeated the Christians in 1453 and occupied Constantinople, the then capital of the Byzantine empire and the centre of classical learning. After the defeat the Christian scholars fled to differentparts of Europe where they spread their knowledge. Thus ancient learning started reviving. This revival of the classical knowledge is called renaissance. its features are: curiosity about more knowledge, desire for unlimited wealth and power; love of adventures, own country, beauty humanism arid the past.

(9)          Columbus discovered America in 1492 and Vasco da Garna reached India in 1498. 

(10)         During his period Copernicus (1473-1543) proved that the sun is the Centre of all planets.

Literary Features of this Period: The English language reached a standard towards the end of this period. Prose got a strong foundation though it remained immature. Poetry served as the main genre. Drama began in the form of "Mystery Play, " "Morality Play" and "Interlude". The writers of the age were greatly influenced by Dante, Petrarch and Boccacio. Love, chivalry and religion are the three main literary ideals of this period. The spirit of romance pervades every writing of the time.

Major Writers and Their Major Works:

1)                  John Wyclif (1324-84), the father of English prose:

Translation of The Bible into English ( prose)

2)                  Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400):

Troilus and Criseyde (1387), Canterbury Tales (1385-1400)

3)                  William Langland:

Piers Plowman (1392)

4)                  John Gower (1325-1408) :

Confessio Amantis

5)                  Sir Thomas Malory:

Monte d' Arthur (1485; prose)

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