Historical Background

The Medieval Period, which began with the Norman Conquest in 1066 and ended at the close of the 15th century, represents a time of profound cultural, linguistic, and societal transition. This era bridged the gap between the Old English period, characterized by its Germanic roots and the epic language of Beowulf, and the rise of Modern English, which began to take shape towards the end of the period. The Norman Conquest itself had a significant impact on the English language, introducing a vast number of Norman French words into English, particularly in areas of law, governance, and culture, leading to a bilingual society where French was the language of the ruling class, and English remained the language of the common people. Over time, this linguistic blending created Middle English, a more fluid and adaptable language that would eventually evolve into Modern English. The Medieval Period also saw significant changes in the structure of society, with the feudal system giving way to more centralized forms of governance, the spread of Christianity influencing all aspects of life, and the rise of towns and trade. These transformations not only shaped the course of English literature but also helped define the cultural and political landscape of England as it moved toward the Renaissance. 

Literary types of genres 

Epic Poetry: Epic poems were a significant literary form in the medieval period. Examples include "Beowulf," an Old English epic, and "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," a Middle English romance.

Romance: Romance literature was immensely popular during the medieval period. These stories often centered around chivalry, courtly love, and quests. Examples include "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," "Tristan and Isolde," and "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory.

Ballads: Ballads were narrative poems that were often sung or recited orally. They were characterized by their simple language and repetitive structure. Many ballads featured themes of love, adventure, and the supernatural.

Chivalric Literature: Chivalric literature celebrated the ideals of knighthood and chivalry. These works often depicted knights engaging in heroic deeds, upholding honor, and protecting the weak. Examples include Arthurian legends and stories of the Knights of the Round Table.

Religious Literature: Religious literature was prominent during the medieval period, reflecting the deeply religious nature of society. This genre included religious allegories, hagiographies (biographies of saints), sermons, and religious plays such as mystery plays and morality plays.

Lyric Poetry: Lyric poetry encompassed a variety of short, emotional poems often expressing personal thoughts and feelings. These poems were often written in the form of songs and were influenced by troubadour and troubairitz traditions.

Drama: Medieval drama included a variety of forms such as mystery plays, morality plays, and miracle plays. These plays were performed as part of religious festivals and often depicted biblical stories or moral lessons.