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The Middle English Period
(1350-1500)
The period in English history and literature between 1350 and 1500
marked by the replacement of French by Modern English as the language of
court and art and the early appearances of definitely modern English writings is
referred to as the Middle English Period. The period between 1350 and 1400
was a rich poetic age: it saw the first major English poet, Chaucer, as well as
poetry like “Pearl”, “The Vision of Piers Plowman” and Gower’s “Confessio
Amantis”.
Chaucer is by general concurrence the greatest English medieval author,
the centre of English medieval literature. He has seemed to stand at the
beginning of modern English literature as Homer has seemed to stand at the
beginning of Greek, indeed of European literature – almost as if he has founded
or invented it.
The reader who eventually reads Chaucer’s poems in chronological order,
will begin with the Chaucerian “Romaunt of the Rose” (before 1373). It is a
delightful new English poem and at the same time the nearest thing in English to
the original “Roman de la Rose”. The reader could have no more intimate
introduction to the medieval French romances and allegories of courtly love and
to the poetry of troubadours. The poem will also introduce the reader to a poetry
that was intimately associated with the spring festivals when both peasant and
courtly folk danced and celebrated the annual triumph of summer over winter.
This spring note continues right through Chaucer’s poetry.
Although the sources which at different stages nourish Chaucer’s poetry
are many and diverse they are not at all literary. His principal “source” may
surely be said to be the English that was spoken around him and out of which he
made his poetry to express his direct observation and knowledge of the life
around him.
Of Chaucer’s other poems, the most important are probably “Troylus and
Cryseyde”(c.1380-1385), and the “Legend of Good Women”(c. 1385) which
show already that poetic – dramatic genius in presenting scenes and persons
which is one of the characteristics of the “Canterbury Tales” (c. 1386-1400),
Chaucer’s greatest achievement. The “Canterbury Tales”, the great human
comedy of the literature of the Middle Ages, is what the modern reader will
probably read first. It will also be what he is most likely to return to again and
again. For depth of interest, for the wealth of its impressions of the human
comedy, and for its mature wisdom, it is unrivalled among Chaucer’s works.
The “Canterbury Tales”, a collection of over twenty religious and secular
tales totalling altogether about 17000 lines – about half of Chaucer’s literary
production – are told by pilgrims on their journey from London to Canterbury.
They include several different short fictional genres like the religious parable,
the romance, and the fabliaux which in Chaucer’s hands have been shaped with
masterly comic art. While Chaucer’s collection exhibits remarkable stylistic
polish and variety, a common theme is the unresolved relation between art and
morality. Chaucer took great care to assure his readers that his stories would
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The Middle English Period
(1350-1500)
The period in English history and literature between 1350 and 1500
marked by the replacement of French by Modern English as the language of
court and art and the early appearances of definitely modern English writings is
referred to as the Middle English Period. The period between 1350 and 1400
was a rich poetic age: it saw the first major English poet, Chaucer, as well as
poetry like “Pearl”, “The Vision of Piers Plowman” and Gower’s “Confessio
Amantis”.
Chaucer is by general concurrence the greatest English medieval author,
the centre of English medieval literature. He has seemed to stand at the
beginning of modern English literature as Homer has seemed to stand at the
beginning of Greek, indeed of European literature – almost as if he has founded
or invented it.
The reader who eventually reads Chaucer’s poems in chronological order,
will begin with the Chaucerian “Romaunt of the Rose” (before 1373). It is a
delightful new English poem and at the same time the nearest thing in English to
the original “Roman de la Rose”. The reader could have no more intimate
introduction to the medieval French romances and allegories of courtly love and
to the poetry of troubadours. The poem will also introduce the reader to a poetry
that was intimately associated with the spring festivals when both peasant and
courtly folk danced and celebrated the annual triumph of summer over winter.
This spring note continues right through Chaucer’s poetry.
Although the sources which at different stages nourish Chaucer’s poetry
are many and diverse they are not at all literary. His principal “source” may
surely be said to be the English that was spoken around him and out of which he
made his poetry to express his direct observation and knowledge of the life
around him.
Of Chaucer’s other poems, the most important are probably “Troylus and
Cryseyde”(c.1380-1385), and the “Legend of Good Women”(c. 1385) which
show already that poetic – dramatic genius in presenting scenes and persons
which is one of the characteristics of the “Canterbury Tales” (c. 1386-1400),
Chaucer’s greatest achievement. The “Canterbury Tales”, the great human
comedy of the literature of the Middle Ages, is what the modern reader will
probably read first. It will also be what he is most likely to return to again and
again. For depth of interest, for the wealth of its impressions of the human
comedy, and for its mature wisdom, it is unrivalled among Chaucer’s works.
The “Canterbury Tales”, a collection of over twenty religious and secular
tales totalling altogether about 17000 lines – about half of Chaucer’s literary
production – are told by pilgrims on their journey from London to Canterbury.
They include several different short fictional genres like the religious parable,
the romance, and the fabliaux which in Chaucer’s hands have been shaped with
masterly comic art. While Chaucer’s collection exhibits remarkable stylistic
polish and variety, a common theme is the unresolved relation between art and
morality. Chaucer took great care to assure his readers that his stories would
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