The Medieval age l Types of Medieval Drama l Middle English literature - Beginning of the Medieval era - Notable Literature of the Medieval age Period - Medieval Poetry - Medieval Age Poets - Medieval Theatre l BS English Subject introduction of Literature History of English Literature Semester 1 Punjab University

In Latin, the word "mediaeval" (originally spelled medieval) means "middle age." It was first used in English and was first brought into the language in the nineteenth century, during a period of increased interest in the art, history, and philosophy of Middle Age Europe.

Beginning of the Mediaeval era

Most historians identify the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 as the beginning of the medieval era. There is some disagreement among scholars, however, as to when the era ended. This event is dated as early as 1453, when Turkish troops seized Constantinople, or as late as the year 1492 when Christopher Columbus made his first trip into the Americas.

Books in the Medieval Period
There were a number of other languages employed throughout this time period including French and Latin for the law and the church. The bulk of works were produced in Middle English. The spelling and language in these early texts were uneven, which made them difficult to understand.

People who were literate at the period were most likely in the government or the church, according to historians. Monks were frequently responsible for the production of books (and parchment), which was a labor-intensive procedure. Books were extremely costly to create since everything was done by hand. An individual library of hand-made books would have been beyond of reach for the average medieval London merchant who could read. Nevertheless, when the middle class developed and literacy increased in the late middle ages, individuals may have possessed a book of hours (prayer book) created by skilled craftsmen and copiers.

A large portion of the early literature of this time consists of preaching sermons, prayers, saints' biographies, homilies, and other religious texts. Early authors in secular medieval literature were fascinated by the idea of King Arthur, an old British hero. Around 1147, Arthur made his literary debut in the Latin "History of the British Kings."

Around the eighth century is when "Beowulf" was written. Anonymous writers also contributed to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (c.1350–1400) and The Pearl (c.1370). "Troilus and Criseyde by  Chaucer " "The Book of the Duchess" (1369), "The House of Fame" (1379–1384), "The Parliament of Fowls" (1377–1382), ''Legend of Good Women" (1384–1386) and The "Canterbury Tales" (1387–1400), all fall within this time period (1399).

The courtly love concept is another frequent subject in medieval literature. Aristocratic courtly love tales were frequently recounted in Medieval times as a way to pass the time. Gaston Paris popularised the phrase "courtly love". Eleanore of Aquitaine, it is widely thought, brought these kinds of stories to the British aristocracy after hearing them in Paris. To her court, Eleanore utilized the tales, which were popularized by troubadours, to teach lessons in chivalry to them. Courtly love enabled individuals to exhibit the passionate love they were forbidden in marriage at the time.

Troubadours in the Middle Ages
They were medieval poet-musicians. Troubadours were songwriters and entertainers travelling. They performed mainly songs and poetry of courteous love and cheerfulness. At a period when it was hard for few to read for books to come through, troubadours played a significant part in literature spread throughout Europe. Although few of her songs have ever been recorded, troubadours have helped create mediaeval literary culture.

Notable Literature of the Medieval age Period

• The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer
• Piers Plowman, William Langland
• Poem of the Cid written by anonymous Spanish author
• Proslogium written by Anselm of Canterbury
• Consolation of Philosophy written by Boethius
• David of Sassoun written by an anonymous Armenian author
• Decameron written by Giovanni Boccaccio
• Dante Alighieri written ''The Divine Comedy'' 
• Alexiad was written by Anna Comnena
• The Dialogue was written by Catherine of Siena
• Digenis Acritas written by the anonymous Greek author
•  Trotula of Salerno written ''The Diseases of Women'' 
• An anonymous author wrote ''Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'' 
• Beowulf, an unknown Anglo-Saxon author
• Caedmon's Hymn written by Caedmon
• The Song of Roland written by anonymous French author
• Spiritual Exercises were written by Gertrude the Great
• Summa Theologiae was written by Thomas Aquinas
• Cantigas de Santa Maria written by Galician
• The Book of Good Love written by Juan Ruiz
• Brut was written by Layamon
• The Knight in the Panther Skin written by Shota Rustaveli
• Holy Cross Sermons are written by  anonymous Polish author
  

Medieval Poetry

Medieval poetry Poetry takes a variety of genres, including lyrical and epic poetry throughout medieval Europe. Troubadours and minnesingers are famous for their songs of courteous love.

Poems in medieval times were religious and spiritual in character. They were mostly utilized in church and other religious occasions. Mainly minstrels recite medieval poetry. According to scientists, literature was not local but worldwide in the Middle Ages.

Medieval Age Poets/Authors

• St Columba
• Dante Alighieri
• St Hildegard of Bingen
• Hrabanus Maurus
• Paul the Deacon
• Walter of Châtillon
• Chaucer
• Gottfried von Hagenau
• Petrarch
• Adam of Saint Victor
• St Ambrose
• St Thomas Aquinas
• The Archpoet
• St Bernard of Cluny
• St Bonaventure
• Peter Abelard
• Peter of Blois
• Thomas of Celano
• Walafrid Strabo

Medieval Theatre

 The category "medieval theatre" is extensive and covers theatrical performances in Europe over a millennium. A wide range of genres, including mystery plays, moral plays, farces, and masks, must be examined. Almost often the topics were religious. The most recognized examples are York Mystery Plays, Chester Mystery Plays, English cycle plays, and  Wakefield Mystery Plays.

Medieval Drama

Medieval drama is focused mostly on religion and hardships or the life of a saintly person. Medieval drama grew renowned and increasingly professional during the 15th century. The three kinds of medieval drama share similitudes and distinctions. They are performed and provide a message to an audience. Medieval drama is the foundation of drama, without which the drama would be different. 

Three kinds of medieval drama exist mystery play, morality plays, and miracle plays.  Each play shows various stuff.

Types of Medieval Drama

Morality play

Morality Plays often called "Interludes" or "Morality" are portrayed in personal virtues and theatrical plays that represent the fighting of the soul. It moved from being liturgical to becoming a secular vocation. Public support was required in the plays. They were brief and had comedy elements in them. The protagonist typically has moral characteristics and has to choose between good and evil. These plays were extremely popular during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Miracle Plays

It is known as "Saint Plays". Miracle plays describes the lives of martyrs and saints. These songs address the lives of saints and martyrs. The game may be genuine or fictional. The bulk of plays that survived were about St. Nicholas, the Virgin Mary and the Bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, in the 4th century. These individuals were referred to as cults and their belief in healing abilities, the plays spread quickly.

Mystery Plays

Mystery Plays are one of Europe's oldest forms of play. It is religious, therefore they are mostly focused on depicting the biblical tales adding an antiphonal melody. The drama is shown in Latin on the grounds of the church and shows Adam and Eve's life, the Creation, the murder of Abel, the last judgment and many more. In the 15th century, it reached the height of popularity.

Conclusion

Throughout this period, Chaucer was unparalleled but a most inventive successor to Chaucer was John Skelton, the first Secular Morality Play written by Skelton, Magnyfycence (1516). The unknown authors of the songs and ballads were more successful occasionally in a cycle, such as the outlaws Robin Hood. Many stories have been transmitted by minstrels traveling. The drama flourished in the form of mystery and morality plays. In the 15th century, with Thomas Malory of Arthur's Le Morte d'Arthur stories, Prose reached new heights.

Video Lecture: The Medieval age in English Literature