Made for ERHS English III. Copyright 2011.

1. ENGLISH LITERATURE The Medieval Period Group 3 Chateau de Chambord

3. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Englandbefore the English Wednesday, day of Woden, father of the gods Thursday, day of Thor, god of war Group of pagan people from Northern Europe begin a series of invasions

4. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Englandbefore the English Wednesday, day of Woden, father of the gods Thursday, day of Thor, god of war Anglo-Saxons (Angles, Saxons, Jutes) brought Germanic languages. But the Celtics managed to keep their language.

5. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Englandbefore the English By 600, Anglo-Saxons conquer the Britons - language becomes more Germanic - (still retains some Latin) The Anglo-Saxons’ two urgings--war and wandering become part of the oral tradition - Beowulf is an example of an Anglo-Saxon hero tale.

6. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works By 700, Christian missionaries arrive to convert the pagans - Latin (the language of the Church) returns “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

7. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Englandbefore the English King Alfred the Britons become organized first true king of the Britons period of prosperity

8. History| Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works In 1066, the Normans (French speaking people from Normandy), led byWilliam the Conqueror attack and defeat the Britains (a blend of the Britons and Anglo-Saxons) at the Battle of Hastings. Englandbefore the English The 3rd language is introduced--French - French culture and French literature arrives

9. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature| Authors & Their Works Welcome to England and the English,an island of people, languages, and divisions... during the Middle Ages

10. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature| Authors & Their Works Language used in Medieval Literature Latin was the language of the Roman Catholic Church, which dominated Europe. The Church was the only source of education. Thus, Latin was a common language for Medieval writings. .

11. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature| Authors & Their Works Writings During the Medieval Period Catholic clerics were the intellectual center of society in the Middle Ages, and it is their literature that was produced in the greatest quantity.

13. Sir Gawain and the Green KnightPresentations of idealized behavior - literature as moral lesson loyalty to king chivalry Use of Allegory An allegory is a figurative mode of representation conveying a meaning other than the literal.

16. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature| Authors & Their Works THEMES of Medieval Literature The Ideal of Courtly Love This relationship was modeled on the feudal relationship between a knight and his liege lord. The knight serves his courtly lady with the same obedience and loyalty which he owes to his liege lord. Fact: In the middle ages, marriages amongst the nobility were typically based on practical and dynastic concerns rather than on love.

17. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature| Authors & Their Works CHARACTERISTICS of Medieval Literature The Ideal of Courtly Love The literary model of courtly love may have been invented to provide young men with a model for appropriate behavior. It taught them to sublimate their desires and to channel their energy into socially useful behavior (love service rather than wandering around the countryside, stealing or raping women.

18. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature| Authors & Their Works CHARACTERISTICS of Medieval Literature The Quest A quest is a hero’s journey towards a goal. The objects of quests require great exertion on the part of the hero, and the overcoming of many obstacles. The hero's must obtain something, or someone, by the quest and with this object return home.

19. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

20. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Cædmon Earliest-Known English Poet Writer of the Cædmon’s Hymn in honour of God the Creator: Nu scylunherganhefaenricaesuard metudæsmaecti end his modgidanc uercuuldurfadur sue he uundragihuaes ecidryctin or astelidæ he aeristscopaeldabarnum hebentilhrofehalegscepen. thamiddungeardmoncynnæsuard ecidryctinæftertiadæ firumfoldufreaallmectigprimocantauitCædmonistudcarmen. WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

21. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Cædmon Earliest-Known English Poet Writer of the Cædmon’s Hymn in honour of God the Creator: Now let me praise the keeper of Heaven's kingdom, The might of the Creator, and his thought, The work of the Father of glory, how each of wonders The Eternal Lord established in the beginning. He first created for the sons of men Heaven as a roof, the holy Creator, Then Middle-earth the keeper of mankind, The Eternal Lord, afterwards made, The earth for men, the Almighty Lord. WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

22. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Geoffrey Chaucer The Father of English Literature The Canterbury Tales was the most famous work by Geoffrey Chaucer which places him in the front rank of the narrative poets of the world. The Canterbury Tales contains about 18,000 lines of verse, besides some passages in prose, and was left incomplete but began modern English literature. (1343 – October 25, 1400) WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

23. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works Geoffrey Chaucer The Father of English Literature WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period Chaucer’s famous poems: Troilus and Criseyde & The Canterbury Tales

24. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works St. Julian of Norwich The Father of English Literature Revelations of Divine Love It is believed to be the first published book in the English language to be written by a woman. WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

25. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works St. Julian of Norwich The Father of English Literature Revelations of Divine Love The first chapter begins with a single sentence introduction: This is a Revelation of Love that Jesus Christ, our endless bliss, made in Sixteen Shewings, or Revelations particular. This is followed by a sentence or two describing each of the sixteen visions in turn. WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

26. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works St. Julian of Norwich The Father of English Literature Revelations of Divine Love The second chapter is partly autobiographical. Julian mentions her illness, but in a spiritual manner. She reflects on three 'gifts' from God: meditation on the passion of Christ, meditation on her own suffering and the gift of greater piety. WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

27. History | Introduction to Medieval Literature | Authors & Their Works St. Julian of Norwich The Father of English Literature Revelations of Divine Love In the third chapter, which concludes the introduction, Julian writes more concretely about the events of her illness and her preparation for death by receiving the last rites. The introduction ends with Julian's recounting of her sudden recovery as she lay on her deathbed gazing at a shining image of the cross. WRITERS & POETS during the Medieval Period

28. “ Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43 (NIV) © Emmanuel Rivera, in behalf of Group 3 – English Class ERHS Pictures & contents are not owned by the Group 3 unless otherwise stated. Credits go to the owners.