1.1 Historical and cultural context of Middle English literature
4 min read•august 6, 2024
Middle English literature emerged during a time of great change in England. The , Crusades, and reshaped society, while and chivalry defined social structures. These events influenced the language and themes of medieval writing.
The Catholic Church dominated medieval life, but Renaissance ideas began to take hold. became a popular literary theme, while the laid foundations for constitutional law. These cultural shifts are reflected in the literature of the period.
Historical Events
Norman Conquest and its Aftermath
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- Norman Conquest of England in 1066 led by William the Conqueror
- Resulted in significant changes to English society, language, and culture
- Introduction of French as the language of the nobility and government
- Establishment of a strong centralized monarchy and feudal system
- Bayeux Tapestry depicts the events leading up to and including the Norman Conquest (Battle of Hastings)
- Domesday Book commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086 to survey and record landholdings in England
- Norman architecture introduced, characterized by large stone churches and castles (Tower of London, Windsor Castle)
Crusades and their Impact
- Series of religious wars initiated by the Catholic Church between the 11th and 13th centuries
- Aimed at reclaiming the Holy Land (Jerusalem) from Muslim control
- Increased contact between Europe and the Middle East, facilitating cultural exchange and trade
- First Crusade (1095-1099) resulted in the capture of Jerusalem and the establishment of Christian states in the Levant
- Later Crusades had mixed success and ultimately failed to maintain control of the Holy Land
- Crusades had a significant impact on European society, politics, and culture (development of chivalry, military orders)
Black Death and the Hundred Years' War
- Black Death (1347-1351) was a devastating pandemic that killed an estimated 30-60% of Europe's population
- Spread rapidly due to trade routes and unsanitary conditions
- Led to significant social, economic, and religious upheaval (labor shortages, rise in wages, questioning of authority)
- Hundred Years' War (1337-1453) was a series of conflicts between England and France
- Fought over territorial disputes and dynastic claims to the French throne
- Joan of Arc, a French peasant girl, played a crucial role in the conflict, leading French troops to victory at the Siege of Orléans (1429)
- War ended with the expulsion of the English from most of France, strengthening French national identity
Magna Carta and its Significance
- Magna Carta (1215) was a charter agreed to by King John of England and a group of rebel barons
- Established the principle that the king was subject to the law and had to respect the rights of free men
- Laid the foundation for the development of constitutional law and limited monarchy in England
- Magna Carta's influence extended beyond England, inspiring legal and political reforms in other countries
- Key principles of the Magna Carta include due process, trial by jury, and protection against arbitrary imprisonment
Social and Cultural Influences
Feudalism and Chivalry
- Feudalism was a social and economic system based on land ownership and loyalty
- Kings granted land (fiefs) to nobles in exchange for military service and loyalty
- Nobles, in turn, granted land to knights and peasants who worked the land and provided labor
- Chivalry was a code of conduct associated with the medieval knightly class
- Emphasized virtues such as courage, honor, loyalty, and courtly love
- Arthurian legends, such as those written by Chrétien de Troyes, exemplified chivalric ideals (Knights of the Round Table, quest for the Holy Grail)
Courtly Love and Medieval Literature
- Courtly love was a literary and social concept that emerged in the 12th century
- Emphasized the nobility of love and the devotion of a knight to his lady
- Often involved idealized, unrequited love and the performance of heroic deeds to win the lady's favor
- Courtly love had a significant influence on medieval literature, particularly in the works of troubadours and trouvères (Provençal and French poets)
- 's "" (late 14th century) includes stories that reflect courtly love ideals (The Knight's Tale)
The Medieval Church and Renaissance Influences
- The Catholic Church played a dominant role in medieval society, shaping religious beliefs, education, and politics
- Monasteries served as centers of learning, preserving classical texts and producing religious works (illuminated manuscripts)
- The Church's power and wealth grew throughout the Middle Ages, leading to tensions with secular authorities
- The Renaissance, which began in Italy in the 14th century, had a gradual influence on English culture
- Characterized by a revival of classical learning, humanism, and artistic innovation
- The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1440) facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas
- The works of Italian writers such as Dante, Petrarch, and Boccaccio influenced English authors (Chaucer, Shakespeare)
Key Terms to Review (18)
Allegory: Allegory is a literary device where characters, events, and details symbolize deeper meanings, often conveying moral, spiritual, or political messages. It allows authors to express complex ideas through symbolic representation, making it a powerful tool in literature that can reflect historical and cultural contexts, major literary trends, and themes.
Alliterative Verse: Alliterative verse is a type of poetry characterized by the repetition of the same initial consonant sounds in stressed syllables within a line. This form is closely associated with Old and Middle English literature, serving as a rhythmic structure that enhances the oral tradition and emotional resonance of the text.
Anglo-Norman Influence: Anglo-Norman influence refers to the significant impact that the Norman Conquest of 1066 had on the English language, culture, and literature, marking a period where Norman French became the language of the ruling class and significantly shaped Middle English. This influence led to a rich blend of linguistic elements and cultural practices, ultimately transforming literary expression and societal structures in England.
Black Death: The Black Death was a devastating pandemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe in the mid-14th century, leading to the deaths of an estimated one-third of the continent's population. This catastrophic event had profound effects on society, economy, and culture, influencing the development of Middle English literature and the lives of notable figures during this period.
Chivalric code: The chivalric code refers to a set of rules and ideals that dictated the conduct of knights and noble warriors during the medieval period. This code emphasized virtues such as bravery, honor, loyalty, and respect for women, shaping not only individual behavior but also the broader social values of the time. The principles of this code influenced literature and culture, particularly in Middle English texts, where themes of love, adventure, and moral dilemmas frequently arise.
Courtly love: Courtly love is a medieval European literary conception of love that emphasizes chivalry, admiration, and the idealization of the beloved, often expressed in a socially acceptable manner. This theme became central in literature and influenced many narratives, especially within the context of romantic relationships and the dynamics of knighthood.
Feudalism: Feudalism was a social, economic, and political system prevalent in medieval Europe, characterized by a hierarchy of lords and vassals. This system structured society around relationships derived from the holding of land in exchange for service or labor, playing a critical role in shaping the historical and cultural landscape during the Middle English period.
Frame narrative: A frame narrative is a story that contains within it one or more other stories, creating a structure where the outer narrative sets the stage for the inner tales. This technique allows for multiple perspectives, themes, and voices to emerge, enhancing the richness of the overall narrative experience.
Geoffrey Chaucer: Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet and author, widely regarded as the Father of English literature, who lived during the late 14th century. His works reflect the historical and cultural context of the Middle Ages, showcasing the development of the Middle English language and influencing various literary trends and genres of his time.
Guilds: Guilds were associations of artisans and merchants in medieval towns that aimed to protect their interests, regulate trade, and ensure quality standards within their crafts. These organizations played a crucial role in the economic and social fabric of society during the Middle English period, shaping labor practices and community relationships.
Magna Carta: The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, is a foundational document in the history of constitutional law that established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. This pivotal agreement was not only a response to the tyranny of King John of England but also a significant step towards the development of parliamentary democracy and individual rights, influencing later political thought and legal frameworks during the Middle English period.
Middle English Dialects: Middle English dialects refer to the various regional forms of the English language that were spoken and written in England from the late 11th century to the late 15th century. These dialects are important for understanding the historical and cultural shifts that influenced Middle English literature, as they reflect local identities and social changes during a time of significant linguistic evolution.
Mystery plays: Mystery plays are a form of medieval drama that depict biblical stories and religious themes, often performed by local guilds in public spaces. These plays emerged during the 10th century and became popular in England by the late Middle Ages, reflecting the cultural and historical context of the time, including the rise of towns and the growing importance of community identity.
Norman Conquest: The Norman Conquest refers to the invasion and occupation of England by the Normans, led by William the Conqueror, in 1066. This event dramatically transformed England's political landscape, culture, and language, influencing the development of Middle English literature and its historical context.
Piers Plowman: Piers Plowman is a Middle English allegorical poem by William Langland, composed in the late 14th century. It reflects the social and religious issues of its time through the journey of the protagonist, Will, as he seeks Truth and explores themes of moral virtue, social justice, and the role of the Church.
Romance: Romance refers to a literary genre that emphasizes adventure, chivalry, love, and the heroic deeds of noble characters, often set against a backdrop of fantastical or idealized settings. This genre flourished in Middle English literature, reflecting societal values and cultural ideals during the period, particularly through tales of knights and their quests.
The Canterbury Tales: The Canterbury Tales is a collection of stories written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the late 14th century, framed within a narrative of a pilgrimage to the shrine of Thomas Becket in Canterbury. This work not only reflects the social and cultural fabric of medieval England but also showcases the evolution of the Middle English language and its literary traditions.
William Langland: William Langland was a 14th-century English poet best known for his allegorical poem 'Piers Plowman', which explores social and spiritual themes through a series of dream visions. His work captures the historical and cultural changes of the time, reflecting the tensions between social classes and the moral concerns of medieval society.