Middle English Period in English Literature | English Literature

     The Middle English Period

        in English Literature

The Middle English Period in English Norman Conque Literature began after the st of England in 1066 and lasted until roughly the end of the 15th century. During this time, the English language underwent significant changes, including the absorption of many Norman French words and the evolution of grammar and pronunciation.

One of the most important literary works of the Middle English period is the epic poem, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," written in the late 14th century. It tells the story of the courage and chivalry of Sir Gawain, a knight of King Arthur's Round Table, and his encounter with the mysterious Green Knight.

Another notable work of this period is "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer. This collection of stories, written in the late 14th century, follows a group of pilgrims on a journey to the Canterbury Cathedral and is considered a masterpiece of English literature.

During the Middle English period, drama also began to emerge as a distinct literary genre. The most famous work of this period is the cycle of mystery plays known as the York Mystery Plays, which were performed in York, England, in the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

The Middle English period was also marked by the rise of religious and philosophical writings, particularly in the form of allegorical works. One of the most important of these is "The Vision of Piers Plowman" by William Langland, a social satire and allegory of Christian life and virtues written in the late 14th century.

Overall, the Middle English period was a time of great literary creativity and experimentation, with writers exploring new forms and styles of writing.