TIMELINE OF ENGLISH LITERATURE (450-1300)
History
of Old English Literature
Birth of English:
Stage 1.Tribal Germanic peoples from northwest Germany (Saxons
and Angles) and Jutland (Jutes) invaded Eastern England around the fifth century AD and the language spoken by them became the origin of English.
Stage 2. Their Old English or Anglo
- Saxon language survived and evolved until the Normans conquered the island in 1066. The Norman conquest of England
in 1066 greatly influenced the evolution of the language. For about 300 years
after this, the Normans used Anglo-Norman, which was close to Old French, as
the language of the court, law and administration.
Stage
3. By the latter part of the fourteenth century, English had replaced
French as the language of law and government. However, there remained
considerable Anglo-Norman borrowings integrated into the language.
The publication dates of works of literature in the context of
important historical, social, and cultural events
History /
Event
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Literature
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(up
to Old English / Anglo Saxon) Anglo Norman period
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597- Landing of
Augustine & his monks. Conversion to Christianity started.
867-901 Alfred, King
of Wessex.
1042- Edward the
confessor.
1066- Norman
Conquest
Battle of Hastings
Battle of Stamford
Death of Edward
1215- Magna Charta
signed.
1249- University College, Oxford
founded.
1306- Robert Bruce
crowned.
1321- Dante died.
1337- Hundred years’
War with France
started.
1348- First outbreak
of plague in Britain.
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673-735 Bede
about 700 Beowulf
about 750 Cynewulf
poems
1205 Laymon’s Brut.
1215 Orm’s Ormulum.
1220 The Owl and
The Nightingale.
991 Last known poem
of Anglo Saxon period, The Battle of Maldon.
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Poets’ Biography:
CYNEWULF (about 750). —An Anglo-Saxon poet--a Northumbrian or a Mercian not
certain. His literary outputs are contained in the Exeter Book and the Vercelli
Book (they are named from the places where they were found.). His earlier poems
enjoy a joyous and poetical nature, rejoicing in the beauty of the world. His
other poems are philosophical and meditative and Christian.
These poems are signed
Juliana-- the legend of a
virgin-martyr indicates a transition in his spiritual life; sorrow and
repentance are its predominant notes.
The Crist (Christ), C—it has passed
through the clouds to an assured faith and peace.
The Fates of the Apostles and Elene
–on the Christian theme of sacrifice and the legend of St.
Helena .
These poems are unsigned
The Phœnix, and the second part of
Guthlac, the Andreas and The Dream of the Roode have controversial authorship.
ÆLFRED (849-901). —King of the West Saxons,
son of Ethelwulf.
He subsides the Danish invasion and
installs a peaceful civil government.
He favours scholars and the
intellectual resource. His active desire for learning begets a handful of
literary assets.
As a writer and translator: He translated or edited
(1) The Handbook, a
collection of extracts on religious subjects
(2) The Cura Pastoralis, or
Herdsman's book of Gregory the Great, with a preface by himself which is the
first English prose
(3)
Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English
(4) The English Chronicle,
which, already brought up to 855, he continued up to the date of writing; it is
probably by his own hand. It is also known as Anglo Saxon Chronicle.
(5) Orosius's History of the World,
which he adapted for English readers with many historical and geographical
additions
(6) the De Consolatione
Philosophiæ of Boethius
(7) a translation of some of the
Psalms
(8) a law book
For his literary contribution
particularly of prose he is attributed the title of the father of English prose
writing
ÆLFRIC (955-c. 1022). —Historical authenticity of the person is disputed.
However, by this name the literary works include:
Books of homilies (990-94), a
Grammar, Glossary, Passiones Sanctorum (Sufferings of the Saints), translations
of parts of the Bible. These books are important for the study of the doctrine
and practice of the early Church in England.they are also important en route
developing English prose.
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English Rulers (Old English Period)
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871-901
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Alfred, King of Wessex
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1066-87
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William I
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1087-1100
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William II
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1100-35
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Henry I
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1135-54
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Stephen
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1154-89
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Henry II
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1189-99
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Richard I
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1199-1216
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John
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1216-72
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Henry III
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1272-1307
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Edward I
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1307-1327
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Edward II
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To enhance the interest on
Old English Literature here is a list of Short Questions covering that period
I. Why are the year 1066 and 1215 important?
Ans: 1066 is
the date of Norman Conquest of England and the beginning of Anglo – Norman literature in England. The
Norman conquest of England in 1066 greatly influenced the evolution of the language.
For about 300 years after this, the Normans used Anglo-Norman, which was close
to Old French, as the language of the court, law and administration. By the
latter part of the fourteenth century, when English had replaced French as the
language of law and government, Anglo-Norman borrowings had contributed roughly
10,000 words to English, of which 75% remain in use.
And 1215 is important because Magna Carta was signed by King
John. It is the first charter of rights submitted before the king. it is the first
step to the democratic process in England.
II. To which country did King Alfred belong? Name
one of his prose works?
Ans: Alfred belonged to the ninth century he was the king of
Wessex
(871).
Alfred is actually noted for his translation works. He
translated or got translated Pastoral Care of Pope Gregory.
III.
Name two war poems in the Anglo – Saxon period that have different conclusions.
Ans: The Battle of Brunanburg is based on true war
fought between the Saxons and Scots in which Saxons were Victorian.
The
Battle of Maldon has for its theme the battle which took place in 993 and
in which the old Chief of the East-Saxons met his death and the poem ends in
sorrow.
IV.
What is meant by Kennings? Give two examples.
Ans: Kennings mean picturesque compounds used by the Old
English poets. They have metaphorical quality. kennings, in modern
terms, are similar to euphemisms, or periphrases. For example,
the term whale-paths indicates the oceans, wave-rider is a boat
or ship, ring-giver, folk-friend, or friend to the people stands
for a king, and a word-hoard simply means a vocabulary. This usage is
evocative of the subject as the writer conceived it—in this way, kennings often
indicate an opinion about a noun as well as identifying it. A king, for
instance, is one who gives objects of worth or treasure to his supporters; this
is the role that the author indicates a king should fulfill. Through the Old
English kennings, the idea that the word represents became the word itself. In
addition, kennings, because of their multi-syllabic nature, allowed poets to
choose phrases that would best fit the verse structure of the poem.
V. Name two poems attributed to Cynewulf.
Ans: Poems attribtuted to Cynewulf are Andreas, the Dreams
of the Rood, Phoenix
and
VI.
To which century did Alfred belong? What are his principle works?
Ans: Alfred belonged to the nineth century. He was the king
of Wessex
(871). He translated or got translated Postoral Care of Pope Gregory, the
History of the World of Orsius, the Ecclesiostical History of
Bide, The consolation of Philosophy
by and the Soliloquies of
St. Augustine. The Anglo Saxon Chronicle inspired and Sponsored by
Alfred was his greater achievement.
VII. Name two Metrical Romance
relating to the matter of England.
Ans: King Horn and The Guy of Warwick are two
metrical romances relating to the matter England i.e. Saxon kings.
VIII.
Name the four manuscripts in which the surviving Old English poetry is preserved.
Ans: The manuscripts of Old English poetry are four in
number and dated late-
a)
Beowulf MS (dated 1000)
b) Junius MS (containing Caedmon poems,
dated 1655)
c) Exeter Book (dated 1050)
d) Vercelli Book (containing Cynewulf
poems dated 1560)
IX.
When was England
converted to Christianity?
Ans: The most significant landmark in Anglo – Saxon history
is the conversion of the people to Christianity. The work began in 597 with
Augustine’s mission and was completed in the period upto 605.
X. Why is the year 1066 important?
Ans: Norman Conquest (by William of Normandy) of England.
XI.
From which country did the Saxons come to England?
Ans: The Saxons came to England from Germany.
XII.
Who is John Wycliffe? Give some name of his works?
Ans: John Wycliffe is a popular figure as a translator Bible
into English. He further issues many pamphlets in English. He contributes Latin
too. His Latin books consist of revolutionary opinions and ideals.
XIII.
Name the first Anglo – Saxon love poem?
Ans: Wife’s complaint – It has more personal tone. It is of
a woman who has been falsely accused and banished from her husband’s presence.
Husband’s message – Here the husband delivers his message on
wooden piece and sends it to his beloved. Here is unpretentious and sincere
feeling.
These two poems are the early stress of Anglo Saxon love
poems.
XIV.
Name one of the four poems, which contain the signature of Cynewulf in runic
characters.
Ans: Four poems that contain the signature of Cynewulf in
rumic characters are Juliana, Elene, The Fates of the Apostle,
and Christ.
XV.
What is the Latin title of Bede’s work Ecclesiastical History of English Race?
Ans: The original title of Bede’s work is Historia
Ecclesiastica.
XVI.
To what race did Beowulf belong? Whom did he help from a monster?
Ans: Beowulf belongs to the pagan race of Geats. He comes to
extend his martial help to king of Danes Hrothger, and after a prolonged battle
kills the monster Grendel and Grendel’s mother.
XVII.
Name two Anglo – Saxon elegies that have stanza pattern and refrain.
Ans: Deor’s Lament and Wulf and Eadwacer are
two Old English poems with stanza and refrain.
XVIII.
Name two war poems in the Anglo Saxon period that have different conclusions.
Ans: The battle of Maldan which recounts the war in
993 has a sad end where the old chief of the East Saxons
breates his last.
On
the other hand, The Battle of Brunanburg relates the actual war between
the Saxons and Scots. The poem is a victory song for Saxon’s win.
XIX.
What is ‘Kennings’? Give two examples.
Ans: In the old English poetry we often find some
picturesque compounds which are metaphorical and sometimes, symbolical. These
compounds are called ‘Kennings’.
For
example ‘sea wood’ is used for ship, ‘picture-tomb’ for urn, ‘peace-weaver’ for
women etc.
XX.
Name two verse chronicles of the Anglo-Norman period?
Ans: Written about 1205, Layamon Brut popularizes the
Arthurian legend in English. Here is the collection of the stories related
Leir, Kinbelin, Cloten, Arviragus etc. the rhyming is here alliterative with
assonance.
Another chronicle, Robert of Gloucester’s
written about 1300 introduces long lines instead of two half lines of old
English poems.
XXI.
What is the historical importance of 1327 in England?
Ans: In 1327 the hundred years’ war with France begins
in the Reign of Edward III. The
historical importance of this war is that.
XXII.
What is the period of the middle ages? What are the sources of information
about the middle ages?
Ans: Roughly speaking, the middle age refers to the period
of 1066 to 1485 (Norman Conquest of England to the end of the wars of Roses).
The
middle age is briefly reflected in Doomsdays Book, pipe Rolls, Court Rolls,
chancery records and account books.
XXIII.
What is the theme of Beowulf? Who is the
poet?
Ans:
The author of Beowulf is unknown, as is the date of its original
composition
—although
some suppose that the saga was written sometime in the 7th or 8th
century. Numerous recitations likely embellished the story
and its
characters with fantastic elements and exaggerated character
traits, including godlike wisdom, intelligence, and nearly superhuman strength
and abilities. The poem was most assuredly part of the previous oral tradition
of story telling.
