Middle English Literature

“Middle English literature” refers to English literature that developed during the roughly 300-year period
from 1150 CE to around 1450 after the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes (aka the Anglo-Saxons) settled in
England in the latter part of the fifth century and eventually gave the country its name and language.
During this period, English gained widespread popularity among people in every stratum of society.
Gradually, the language gained maturity, and by the late 1300s, Chaucer’s poetry made English the
perfect medium for literature.

8 Characteristics of Middle English Literature

1. Impersonality/Anonymity

One of the most important characteristics of Middle English literature is its impersonality, by which I
mean that most of its literature was anonymous, and we don’t know the names of those who wrote it.

2. Derivative Stories

To have based one’s work on an old, authoritative source was a virtue. It led Geoffrey of Monmouth and
other great writers to claim such a source when none existed. It is not surprising that this attitude raised
translation to the level of the original creation.

3. Religiosity

Religion occupies an important place in Middle English literature, as it was an important element of
social life in the medieval ages. It is said that then, men and women looked upon religion as a means to
the next life. They lived in constant fear of hell and its torments and were vitally concerned with the
salvation of their souls. That’s why religious writing forms a greater part of Middle English Literature.

4. Oral Quality

Most of the Middle English literature was meant to be listened to rather than read. As there were no
printing facilities in those days, most of the literature was memorized. People used to memorize and
retell poems or stories instead of reading.

5. Courtly Love

In 1883, Gaston Paris was the first person to popularize the phrase “courtly love,” which is a code of
behavior that determined the relationship between aristocratic lovers in Western Europe during the
Middle Ages.

6. Chivalry
Chivalry is a prominent feature of Middle English literature. The term came to mean the gallantry and
honor expected of knights and a general sense of courtesy. Middle English poetry is mostly concerned
with the heroic deeds of knights.

7. Romance

Romance is another important characteristic of Middle English literature. Sir Gawain and the Green
Knight, King Horn, Athelston, Gamelyn, and Sir Orfeo are the best examples of medieval romance.

8. Infra-Literary

One must say a word here about the artistic quality of medieval literature. And we must admit that
when judged by modern standards, much of medieval literature (continental as well as English) is infra-
literary (lowbrow).

Reference: https://owlcation.com/humanities/Characteristics-of-Middle-English-
Literature#:~:text=1.-,Impersonality%2FAnonymity,rather%20than%20in%20the%20poet.