Anglo Norman Period or Middle English

Karakoram International University Gilgit
 Prepared by Hajat Hussain
 Reg No. 2016-kiu-2242
Hajat Hussain 2016-KIU-2242

List of Topics……..
 Background of Normans
 Norman Conquest
 Changes in England After Norman Conquest
 Changes in English Literature After Norman Conquest
 Changes in English Language After Norman Conquest
 Literature of Anglo-Norman Period
 Famous Poets of Middle English

Background of Normans
 On the northern coast of France directly across from
England is a district extending some seventy-five miles
back from the Channel known as Normandy.
 The Normans King William the Conqueror defeated
the Anglo-Saxon King Harold at the Battle of Hastings
(1066) and conquered England.
 Norman Conquest brought enormous changes in
England, English Literature and Linguistics.

Norman Conquest
 When in 1066, Edward the Confessor died childless,
England was again faced with the choice of a successor.
 Edward had divided England into a few large districts,
each under the control of a powerful earl. The most
influential of these nobles was Godwin, earl of the
West Saxon earldom.
 The day after Edward’s death Harold the son of
Godwin was elected king.

Cont……..
 William, the duke of Normandy at this time, was a
second cousin of late king Edward.
 When Harold did not consider William’s order. Only
by force could William hope to obtain the crown.
 First William landed on the south coast of England,
with a formidable force. His landing was unopposed.
Harold was occupied in the north of England meeting
an invasion by the king of Norway, another claimant to
the throne. Harold hardly triumphed in battle.

Cont……..
 Harold reached a point between the Norman host and
London. He drew up his forces on a broad hill at Senlac,
not far from Hastings, and awaited William’s attack.
 Battle began early in the morning and Englishmen
fought bravely till afternoon and then Normans attacked
very dangerously.
 Harold, also apart of the fight, was killed during the
battle. According to tradition, he was pierced in the eye
by a Norman arrow.

Cont………
 Two of Harold’s brothers had already killed.
 William had won the battle of Hastings and
eliminated his rival.
 On Christmas Day 1066, William was crowned king of
England.

Changes in England After Norman Conquest
 The Norman Conquest brought changes in the
literature as well as political history of England.
 The Anglo-Saxon authors were then as suddenly and
permanently displaced.
 Many of the English higher class had been killed on
the field at Hastings. Those who escaped were treated
as traitors.

Cont…..
 Norman prelates were gradually introduced into all
important positions in the church.
 For 200 years after the Norman Conquest, French
remained the language of ordinary intercourse among
the upper classes in England.
 French was used by upper class while English was used
by lower class

Cont……..
 Norman introduced a foreign type of literature in the
England.
 French language was used in churches and
monasteries.
 English Language was thrown into background.

Changes in English Literature
 After Norman Conquest the literature read and written
by Englishmen was completely transformed as the
sentiments and tastes of English rulers (Normans).
 Normans imported scholars to revive knowledge,
chronicles to record memorable events.
 This period is also marked by disappearance of Old
English poetry.

Cont…….
 The religious poetry was also disappeared after
Norman Conquest.

Changes in English Language
 The Middle English period was marked by momentous
changes in the English language, changes more
extensive and fundamental than those that have taken
place at any time before or since.
 English language having been thrown into the
background. English was used by lower class.

Cont………
 Following are some changes in English grammar
1. Decay of Inflectional Endings
2. The Noun
3. Strong Verbs Became Weak
4. Loss of Grammatical Gender
 French influence is much more direct and
observable upon the vocabulary.

Cont……..
 Thousands of French words introduced into English.
 In changing from French to English they transferred
much of their governmental and administrative
vocabulary, their ecclesiastical, legal, and military
terms, their familiar words of fashion, food, and social
life, the vocabulary of art, learning, and medicine.
e.g government, tax, crown, religion, proof, prison, bail,
warrant, judge, navy, enemy, fashion, dress, frock,
blue, brown, roast, fry etc…

Literature of Anglo-Norman Period
 The Romances
It was most popular form of literature. These are notable
for their stories rather than their poetry (Canterbury Tales)
These romances were borrowed from Latin and French.
They deal with the stories of King Arthur, The War of Troy
and of Alexander the Great.
 No literary production of the Middle English are so
characteristic or of high value.
 None so perennially (always living) attractive.

Cont…….
 The Miracle Plays
These plays became very popular . From the growth and
development of the Bible story, scene by scene, carried to
its logical conclusion.
 This drama developed to a cycle of sacred history,
beginning with the creation of man, his fall and
banishment from Garden of Eden and matters of Old
testament and life of Christ.
This kind of drama is called Miracle Plays

Cont….
 Morality Plays
In these form of drama uniform theme is the struggle
between the powers of good and evil. The personages
(famous people) were abstract virtues or vices, each acting
and speaking in accordance with his name and the plot was
built upon the contrasts and influences on human nature.
 Allegory is the mark of moral plays.

Famous Poets
 Geoffrey Chaucer (1340-1400)
He was the real founder of English Poetry and called
the ‘Father of English Poetry’.
Chaucer made a fresh beginning in English Literature.
He disregarded the old English tradition.
 Chaucer poetry has been read and enjoyed
continuously from his first day to today.

His works…..
 Famous work of Chaucer is the Canterbury Tales,
which is collection of stories related by the pilgrims on
their way to the shrine of Thomas Becket at
Canterbury. This is a landmark in the history of
English Poetry.
 These Pilgrims represent different sections of
contemporary English society.

Cont…….
 His work fall into three periods.
 1st period;-
He imitated French poets and long poem Le Roman
de la Rose of which he made a translation Romaunt of
the Rose.
During this period he also wrote the Book of the
Duchess ,an elegy, which in its form and nature is like
Romaunt of the Rose.
 Complaint unto Pity, a shorter poem.

Cont……
 2nd period:-
In this period he was inspired by Italian writers. In this
period he wrote The Parliament of Fowls, which
contains very dramatic and satiric dialogues.
 Troilus and Criseyde, which narrates the story of
Trojan prince Troilus and his love for damsel
 The story of Griselda, in which is given a pitiful
picture of womanhood.
 The House of Fame, a masterpiece of comic fantasy.

Cont……..
 3rd period:-
This period is called English period.
In this period he wrote Legend of Good Woman, in
heroic couplet.
 The Canterbury Tales, his greatest achievement.

William Langland (1332-1386)
 He was one of greatest poets of the Middle ages.
 His poem ‘A Vision of Piers and Plowman’, it is a
classical work and a satire on the Corrupt religious
practices.
 Langland is a satiric poet and feudal system is his
ideal.
 He represents lower class in his poetry.

References….
 A Critical History of English Literature by B.R Mullik
 History of English Literature By David Daiches
Hajat Hussain 2016-Kiu-2242

Anglo Norman Period or Middle English

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