Foundations of English History and Literature
Roman Britain: Motives and Impact
The Romans went to Great Britain for several reasons:
- Expansion of the Roman Empire
- Resources: The Romans were attracted by the rich agriculture of the south, tin and lead in the west, and the availability of slaves.
- Strategic Importance: Britain served as an offshore base.
During their presence, the Romans built paved roads and connected towns that developed as military, administrative, and trading centers.
Origins and Society of the Anglo-Saxons
Origins of the Anglo-Saxons
The Anglo-Saxons originated from what is now northern Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands. Specifically, they were made up of three main tribes: the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. These groups began migrating to Britain in the 5th century AD, after the decline of Roman rule. They settled primarily in what is now England, where they eventually formed several kingdoms and laid the foundations for the English nation and language.
Foundations of Anglo-Saxon Society
Anglo-Saxon society was founded on loyalty to the family, or clan. The center of communal life was the hall, which was the place where they gathered and swore loyalty to the chiefs in return for their protection.
Evolution of the English Language
Periods of English Language Development
The history of the English language begins with the settlement of the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes in Britain. It can be divided into three periods:
- Old English (ca. 700-1100)
- Middle English (ca. 1100-1450)
- Modern English (ca. 1450-present day)
After the Norman Conquest, French, Old English, and Latin were spoken in England; it was from their blend that Middle English originated.
Old English vs. Middle English: Key Differences
Old English and Middle English are two distinct historical stages of the English language, separated by major changes in grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and writing systems.
- Old English:
- Highly inflected language
- Strong and weak verbs
- Germanic roots
- Middle English:
- Inflectional system simplified drastically
- Massive influx of French vocabulary
- More writing in manuscript form
Key Events and Structures in Medieval England
The Wars of the Roses: Conflict and Symbolism
The Wars of the Roses were a series of civil wars fought in England between 1455 and 1487. The name comes from the heraldic emblems of the two houses that clashed:
- The red rose symbolized the Lancastrians.
- The white rose symbolized the Yorkists.
England’s First Parliament: The Model Parliament
England’s first parliament is commonly considered to be the Model Parliament of 1295, called by King Edward I. King Edward I respected the terms of Magna Carta and in 1295 summoned a council made up of barons, clergy, knights, and representatives of the towns.
The Significance of Magna Carta
The Magna Carta is a charter demanding specific liberties, signed by King John because the barons, the Church, and the general population were exposed to his violent abuse of power.
The Feudal System in England
Under the feudal system, the new French barons obtained their land by becoming the king’s tenants, paying their ‘rent’ in military services to the king. In the ceremony of homage, they swore loyalty and submission to their feudal lord, receiving in exchange the title of their new position. The barons were allowed to sub-let their lands to lesser tenants (knights) in return for their services.
Medieval Ballads and The Canterbury Tales
Themes in Medieval Ballads
Typical themes of medieval ballads include:
- Ballads of magic, often of great imaginative power.
- Border ballads, about the rivalry between the English and the Scottish peoples.
- Ballads of love and domestic tragedy.
- Ballads of outlaws, with the cycle of Robin Hood.
Christianity’s Return to Britain
Christianity was brought back to Britain by Monk Augustine, sent by Pope Gregory I the Great.
Protagonists of The Canterbury Tales
The protagonists of The Canterbury Tales are men, women, monks, and other members of the clergy, artisans, merchants, and also the narrator, Chaucer himself, who are going on a pilgrimage.
Setting of The Canterbury Tales
The pilgrimage provides a dynamic frame for The Canterbury Tales. London is depicted as very human and linked to worldly pleasures, while the destination, Canterbury, is holy. Canterbury symbolizes the celestial city itself, the end of life, and the journey of the pilgrims becomes an allegory of the course of human life. However, the work remained unfinished, and Canterbury is not reached by the pilgrims.
Pilgrims’ Meeting Point and Destination
The protagonists of The Canterbury Tales meet at the Tabard Inn in London, and they are going to Canterbury.
Thomas Becket: Saint and Pilgrim Destination
Thomas Becket is a saint whose shrine is the destination of the pilgrims in The Canterbury Tales.
Symbolism of Canterbury in the Tales
Canterbury is the symbol of the celestial city itself, representing the end of life. The journey of the pilgrims becomes an allegory of the course of human life.
Chaucer’s Role as Narrator
Chaucer’s function in the story is that of the reporting pilgrim. He tells us what he sees and what he thinks about.
The Canterbury Tales as a Societal Portrait
The Canterbury Tales can be regarded as a portrait of English society because Chaucer meticulously presents a diverse cross-section of medieval English life, including various social classes, professions, and moral types, reflecting the complexities and characteristics of his contemporary society.
Major Themes in The Canterbury Tales
The main themes of The Canterbury Tales include:
- The journey (both physical and spiritual)
- The parody of courtly love
- The role of women
- The corruption of the Church
Structure and Style of The Canterbury Tales
The Canterbury Tales is a long narrative poem. Chaucer used rhyming couplets made up of iambic pentameters. The work consists of a ‘General Prologue,’ where the pilgrims are introduced, and twenty-four tales. The tales are usually preceded by a prologue, which introduces their theme, and are sometimes followed by an epilogue. They are narrated by the different pilgrims, but the reporting pilgrim is Chaucer himself.
Geoffrey Chaucer: Father of English Literature
Geoffrey Chaucer is called the father of English literature for several reasons:
- He is one of the first English poets to be known by name.
- His dialect became standard English, thus becoming the basis of Modern English.
- He was able to give a detailed portrait of the English society of his time.