Anglo-Saxon Literature (449 BC - 1066 AD)
The literature of this period was shared through incantations and oral recitations by traveling minstrels, also called scops. As far as we know, it wasn't until the third century that the language was recorded in the written form in an alphabet referred to as runes. That alphabet morphed into Latin. The stories, like Beowulf, were heroic tales of brave deeds or religious reflections. Since Beowulf typifies the period in so many ways, I'm providing a link to that great epic poem. This site enables you to view the text in Old English as well as Modern English.
Medieval Period (1066-1485)
This period starts the year when time began -- at least it seems that way to many historians. It's an important date in history -- 1066 AD. The Normans revolutionized the culture and language, and those alterations can be traced through the literature that remains. While a great proportion of the literature is recorded in Latin, the language of the government, Norman French, merged with the Latin to create Middle English. Oh happy day!
While most know that Johann Gutenberg invented movable type, few know the name of the man who took that technology to England, William Caxton. And his first project? Yes -- The Canterbury Tales. Revered and lauded as a time capsule, Geoffrey Chaucer's frame story provides examples of 14th century British citizens from every segment of the population -- the knight to the commoner. Here are the notes:
One of the major themes of the Middle Ages is chivalry and romance, and if it weren't for the nasty inconveniences like basic sanitation, I think most of us would love to spend a day (or two) as a noble knight or a damsel in distress. Alas, we'll have to reminisce about the days of yore as we read Sir Thomas Malory's Morte d' Arthur. For those lovers of Arthur, I found a great site!
Notes
I took the PowerPoint down because I am not currently teaching this class.