Anglo Saxon and middle

English literature
Characterisations of Middle English
literature
` In the 12th century, a new form of English now known as Middle
English evolved. This is the earliest form of English literature which is
comprehensible to modern readers and listeners, albeit not easily.
Middle English lasts up until the 1470s, when the Chancery Standard, a
form of London-based English, became widespread and the printing
press regularized the language. Middle English Bible translations,
notably Wyclif's Bible, helped to establish English as a literary
language.
There are three main categories of Middle English Literature:
Religious, Courtly love, and Arthurian. William
Langland's Piers Plowman is considered by many critics to be one of
the early great works of English literature along with Chaucer's
Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (most likely
by the Pearl Poet) during the Middle Ages. It is also the first allusion to
a literary tradition of the legendary English archer, swordsman, and
outlaw Robin Hood.
 Middle English

Chaucer’s epic
poems
Canterbury Tales
Troilus and Criseyde
Bookreciting
Chaucer of the Duchess
Troylus and
Criseyde: early 15th century
manuscript of the work at
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
 Chaucer
• Chaucer was an English
author, poet, philosopher,
bureaucrat, courtier and
diplomat. Although he wrote
many works, he is best
remembered for his
unfinished frame narrative
The Canterbury Tales.
Sometimes called the father
of English literature, Chaucer
is credited by some scholars
as the first author to
demonstrate the artistic
legitimacy of the English
language.
 Chaucer
Writer, official and bureaucrat, the
outstanding English poet before Geoffrey
Chaucer is remembered as the author of
Canterbury Tales, which ranks as one of
the greatest epic works of world
literature. Chaucer made a crucial
contribution to English literature in
writing in English at a time when much
court poetry was still composed in Anglo-
Norman or Latin. Although he spent one
of two brief periods of disfavor, Chaucer
lived the whole of his life close the centers
of English power. ‘
My lige lady, generally,'
quod he,'Wommen desiren to
have sovereynetee As wel over
hir housbond as hir love.'
 Middle English
poets
• John Gower
• John Audelay
• Thomas Hoccleve
• William Langland
• John Lydgate
• Thomas Usk
• William of Nassyngton
 Middle English
writers

• William
Langland
• Sir Thomas
Mallory
• Robert
Gloucester
• Miles Coverdale
Sir Thomas Malory
Was an anonymous and wrote the
greatest medieval romances.
The author or compiler of Le Morte
d'Arthur, which was the first true
english novel.
This monumental work is a moving tale
of love and betrayal, and quests
inspired by noble ideals amidst
the turmoil of an age on the threshold of
profound change, the essence of Sir
Thomas Malory's timeless masterpiece
has remained firmly in the imagination
of successive generations.
 The Roman de la rose
• The Roman de la rose, is a medieval French
poem styled as an allegorical dream vision.
It is a notable instance of courtly literature.
The work's stated purpose is to both
entertain and to teach others about the Art
of Love. It had a great influence on English
literature. It helped Chaucers work
strongly.