Medieval Literature Timeline

Medieval literature written during the Middle Ages.

Beowulf composed in Britain, possibly in East Anglia.

Caedmon's Hymn composed at Whitney Abbey, Northumbria.

Dream vision poem The Dream of the Rood composed.

The Battle of Maldon composed.

The epic poem Song of Roland composed in France.

Chretien de Troyes writes his chivalric romances in southern France.

The Italian poet Dante Alighieri completes his epic the Divine Comedy.

Giovanni Boccaccio writes his first poetry work, including Diana's Hunt, The Lovestruck, and Teseida.

Giovanni Boccaccio completes his masterpiece, the Decameron.

Chaucer writes his first long poem, Book of the Duchess.

Chaucer writes his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales.

William Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur.