What is medieval literature?

Medieval literature is any literary work composed, usually, in the vernacular, between c. 476-1500 though it sometimes also references historical, philosophical, or religious works.

How did medieval literature evolve?

Medieval literature initially developed from the medieval folktale before authors began composing original works.

What were the forms of medieval literature and which was earliest?

The forms of medieval literature were poetry, drama, histories, and fables. The earliest form was poetry.

What are some famous works of medieval literature?

Famous works of medieval literature include The Divine Comedy by Dante, The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer, The Decameron by Boccaccio, and Le Morte D'Arthur by Malory.

Medieval Literature Timeline

Definition

Medieval literature is defined broadly as any work written in Latin or the vernacular between c. 476-1500, including philosophy, religious treatises, legal texts, as well as works of the imagination. More narrowly, however, the term applies to literary works of poetry, drama, romance, epic prose, and histories written in the vernacular, though some histories were in Latin.

More about: Medieval Literature

Timeline

476 CE - 1500 CE
Medieval literature written during the Middle Ages.
c. 600 CE - c. 900 CE
Beowulf composed in Britain, possibly in East Anglia.
c. 650 CE
Caedmon's Hymn composed at Whitney Abbey, Northumbria.
c. 650 CE
Dream vision poem The Dream of the Rood composed.
c. 995 CE
The Battle of Maldon composed.
c. 1040 CE
The epic poem Song of Roland composed in France.
c. 1160 CE - c. 1190 CE
Chretien de Troyes writes his chivalric romances in southern France.
c. 1319 CE
The Italian poet Dante Alighieri completes his epic the Divine Comedy.
1335 CE - 1341 CE
Giovanni Boccaccio writes his first poetry work, including Diana's Hunt, The Lovestruck, and Teseida.
c. 1353 CE
Giovanni Boccaccio completes his masterpiece, the Decameron.
c. 1370 CE
Chaucer writes his first long poem, Book of the Duchess.
c. 1392 CE
Chaucer writes his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales.
1485 CE
William Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur.