Mind Over Matter

The term refers to the literature written in the form of the English language, known as Middle English, from the late 12th century until the 1470s. During this time, the English language underwent many changes due to the influence of the Norman French, who conquered England in 1066, and the emergence of a standard form of London-based English, spread by the printing press in the late 15th century.

Why is this important? Because the language of literature reflects its culture and identity. Medieval English literature shows how the English people adapted to a new political and social reality and expressed their values and beliefs through their stories and poems. Medieval English literature also shows how English evolved and enriched itself with new words, forms, and styles from other languages and cultures.

We need to understand the historical and social context of medieval England, which shaped the themes and styles of its literature. Medieval society was based on a feudal system, which divided people into three estates: the clergy (who tended to spiritual matters), the nobility (who ruled and fought), and the commoners (who worked and produced). Medieval literature often reflected this hierarchy and the values associated with each estate, such as religiosity, chivalry, and courtly love. Additionally, other cultural and intellectual movements like the Crusades, the Renaissance, and the Reformation had an impact on medieval literature and presented new challenges to medieval writers.

How did this affect medieval literature? Medieval literature reveals the diversity and complexity of medieval society and its conflicts and tensions. Medieval literature also explores the human condition concerning God, nature, love, and morality. Medieval literature also demonstrates medieval writers’ creativity and innovation, experimenting with different genres and forms to express their visions and opinions.

Genres of Medieval English Literature

In order to understand the true spirit of medieval age we need to identify some of the main genres and forms of medieval literature, which were diverse and varied. Following section elaborates popular genres of medieval English literature.

Religious literature

This includes works that express devotion, doctrine, or criticism of the Church, such as saints’ lives, sermons, visions, allegories, and moral tales. Some examples are The Katherine Group (a collection of texts about female saints), The Book of Margery Kempe (an autobiography of a mystic), The Canterbury Tales (a collection of stories told by pilgrims on their way to Canterbury), and Piers Plowman (an allegorical poem about the quest for salvation). Religious literature shows how medieval people experienced and practiced their faith differently. Religious literature also shows how medieval writers used various literary techniques to convey spiritual messages and emotions. Religious literature also shows how medieval writers engaged in theological debates and controversies that shaped their society.

Courtly love

This literature includes works that celebrate or satirize the idealized love between a noble knight and a lady, often in a feudal or Arthurian setting. Some examples are Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (a romance about a knight who faces a series of tests), Troilus and Criseyde (a poem about a tragic love affair during the Trojan War), and The Romance of the Rose (an allegorical poem about the art of love). Courtly love literature shows how medieval people imagined and idealized romantic relationships in a hierarchical society. Courtly love literature also shows how medieval writers used various literary devices to create suspense, humor, irony, and symbolism. Courtly love literature also shows how medieval writers challenged or reinforced social norms and expectations regarding gender roles and sexuality.

Travel literature

This literature includes works that describe or imagine journeys to exotic or fantastic places, often for religious or adventurous purposes. Some examples are The Travels of Sir John Mandeville (a fictional account of a world tour), The Book of John Mandeville (a compilation of legends and marvels from various sources), and The Voyage of St. Brendan (a legend about a saint who sailed to a paradisiacal island). Travel literature shows how medieval people explored and encountered different cultures and lands. Travel literature also shows how medieval writers used various literary strategies to create wonder, curiosity, admiration, or criticism. Travel literature also shows how medieval writers expressed their hopes and fears about their world and the unknown.

Famous Works of Medieval English Literature

Medieval English literature is written in various genres, themes, and styles, reflecting the diversity and creativity of medieval writers and their audiences. Some of the most famous works of medieval English literature are discussed in the following section.

Beowulf (written between 700-1000 AD)

Beowulf is an epic poem about a hero who fights a monster, a dragon, and his fate. It is one of the oldest surviving works of English literature and a masterpiece of Anglo-Saxon culture. It combines elements of Germanic mythology, Christian morality, and heroic values. It is written in a complex and sophisticated verse form, using alliteration, kennings, and variation.

The Canterbury Tales (written between 1387-1400)

The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories told by a group of pilgrims visiting the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. The stories range from humorous to tragic, romantic to moral, and realistic to fantastic. They offer a vivid portrait of medieval society and human nature and showcase Chaucer’s poetic genius and linguistic innovation. He uses genres such as romance, fabliau, breton lay, love vision, and allegory to suit the characters and their themes. He also experiments with different forms of rhyme, meter, and dialect.

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (around 1400)

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a romance that explores the ideals and challenges of chivalry, loyalty, and courage. It follows the adventures of Sir Gawain, one of King Arthur’s knights, who accepts a mysterious challenge from a green-skinned stranger. The poem is rich in symbolism, imagery, and mystery and is written in a distinctive alliterative verse. It also incorporates elements of Celtic folklore, such as the Green Man and the pentangle.

Le Morte d’Arthur (1485)

Le Morte d’Arthur is a compilation of stories about King Arthur and his knights of the Round Table. It draws on various French and English sources to create a comprehensive and coherent narrative of the rise and fall of Camelot. It is one of the first books printed in England and one of the most influential works of Arthurian literature. It depicts the ideals and flaws of the Arthurian world, such as honor, loyalty, love, betrayal, magic, and destiny.

These are just some examples of the many works that constitute medieval English literature. They demonstrate how medieval writers used their imagination, skill, and knowledge to create works that still inspire and entertain us today. They also show how historical, cultural, and religious contexts like the Norman Conquest, the Crusades, the Black Death, the Hundred Years’ War, the Magna Carta, the Reformation, and the Renaissance influenced medieval literature.