Origins of English Literature Roman Era to 1509 Dr. William J. Burling

Native Celtic cultures Celtic, Druid tribes Isolated from the continent Unorganized tribal culture Stonehenge

Early Periods of Development Roman occupation ends ca. 410 CE Series of invasions by Germanic tribes begins—Anglos and Saxons, ca. 450 Vikings arrive in 865, establish the Danelaw (northern and eastern England) Unification of southern England (Wessex) under rule of Alfred the Great, 871-899 Danish invasion in 981 establishes new line of kings

Roman influence, 43-410 CE Founding of Londinium, 43 CE Infrastructure, especially roads, links tribes Influence of Roman law, art, and architecture Importance of York Bath

Hadrian’s Wall Roman defense against the Scots, 130 CE

Germanic expansion

Germanic expansion Angle and Saxon invasions, ca. 450-550 Extensive linguistic influence

Norman period, 1066—1490s Norman invasion in 1066, led by William the Conqueror Influence of French language Centralization of feudal government and church results in a court culture

William I (1066-1087)

Tower of London

Norman-era York, 13th century

Detail of Norman-era York Clifford’s Tower 13th century

York today

Significant literary milestones Beowulf Canterbury Tales Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Everyman Second Shepherd’s Play Morte D’Arthur

Beowulf Oldest of the long poems in English Composed sometime between 8th and 12th centuries Grendel

Beowulf Grendel’s mother

Beowulf manuscript at the British Library

Canterbury Tales Geoffrey Chaucer

Canterbury Cathedral

Beckett shrine Thomas Beckett Opposed the will of Henry II Murdered in the cathedral (1170)

Mystery plays Often presented in “cycles” York, Chester, N-Town, Towneley

Morality plays The Castle of Perseverance Single play performed

War of the Roses, 1455-1485 Warwick Castle

Transition to the Tudor era Henry VII (1485-1509) Defeated Richard III in 1485 at Bosworth to end the War of the Roses United the houses of Lancaster and York First Tudor monarch

Introduction of the Printing Press William Caxton, 1476

Ben Franklin’s Press (1725)

A New Era Begins Henry VIII