The Medieval Canon: A Peredur Bestiary, The Poetry of John Clanvowe, Debate Poetry & the Peterborough Chronicles

Medieval literature is an incredible broad area of this human knowledge for countless centuries and numerous themes, genres, and languages. Medieval texts range from heroic epics and religious treatises to debate poetry and chronicles, offering a glimpse of the worldviews, values, and imaginative landscapes of bygone eras. In this article, we look at representative examples and themes drawn from medieval literature including the Welsh Arthurian romance of Peredur, works by the poet-knight Sir John Clanvowe, debate poetry as a genre in fifteenth-century England, and a domestic-oriented set of chronicles by Peterborough. The richness and variety of medieval literature is reflected in the texts and themes that not only shaped the world of works, but are also molded by it.

This url was contributed by students of medieval literature First, moreso than much later or earlier writing, medieval literature tends to be multilayered.

The term medieval literature normally encompasses works from the fifth century (the fall of the Western Roman Empire) to the late fifteenth century (start of the Renaissance), although there are other defines depending on which section part of history is referenced, over a range of languages encompassing classical Latin, Old English, Middle English never to mention Ancient Greek either in addition to its vast number throughout also Old French and Old Norse etc. Religious devotion, chivalric romance, heroic deeds; and moral or philosophical questions are common themes of medieval literature. Most medieval literature was anonymous, as it was passed down orally before being written down, and reflected the same social order found in wider society, particularly that of the Catholic Church and feudalism.

Peredur: An Arthurian romance from Wales

Peredur, a Welsh Arthurian romance from the Mabinogion (a collection of stories written down from oral tradition but not set in stone until later) is one example. The story of the young nobleman Peredur, Son of Efrawg follows a common pathway in which Peredur works to become knight but learns also more complicated concepts than simply being chivalrous including family loyalty and personal courage. His story is commonly similar to the better-known Percival and the Grail story appearing in French Arthurian literature, but different with respect to Welsh specific elements and Myths.

The hero of Peredur meets odd and otherworldly creatures, embarks on perilous adventures, and ultimately attempts to unravel the enigmas surrounding his past and ancestry. This story is the kind of medieval tale about fate, metamorphosis of hero, and seeking knowledge and truth. Incorporating the elements of magic, adventure and moral didacticism which we would find in many Arthurian romances, Peredur illustrates the influence of both Celtic and Christian traditions throughout medieval Welsh literature.

Sir John Clanvowe — knight and poet

English poet, knight and diplomat Sir John Clanvowe (c. 1341–1391) was an influential figure in medieval English poetry. Clanvowe belonged to the court of Richard II and had links with Geoffrey Chaucer as well as the Ricardian poets. Perhaps most famous amongst Clanvowe's work, The Book of Cupid, God of Love or The Cuckoo and the Nightingale. A lyrical and allegorical debate on love, this poem demonstrates his ability to create complicated verse that resonates emotionally with the reader; it also shows Chaucer's interest in courtly love, which was a topic that medieval writers extensively explored.

The interrelation of medieval literature—as poetry circles made up in part of courtly and moral instruction, is demonstrated in Clanvowe's work. His ideal of love as a worthy endeavor reflects that of the chivalric and courtly ideals to which many aristocrats of the medieval period were dedicated. Is an example of this unusual blend of arts that the medieval court included since, mostly poetry and music were valued as expressing loyalty, honor and personal service among others in court life with knights view for their lady.

Argumentative Poetry: A Literary Discourse

A relatively unique medieval literary genre, debate poetry flourished during the High Middle Ages in England and in France. In this genre, two characters take opposing sides and engage in a structured dialogue on a particular topic or philosophical question. In these poems, usually representational of abstract concepts like Reason versus Passion or Winter versus Summer or Life and Death, speak prose to each other in rhyme alike. Poets entered through these dialogues and audiences were encouraged to ponder a variety of perspectives on the subjects of love, morality, faith, and even human nature itself.

A remarkable instance of this type of poetry can be found in The Owl and the Nightingale, a Middle English poem dating to the late 12th or early 13th century. In this, the Owl and the Nightingale have a lively debate about everything from their places in society to love, beauty, and wisdom. Medieval poets had the opportunity to write sarcasm and controversy into their works and thus critical of several social norms through such poetry, as it permitted to offer entertainment while also being able to reflect on topics in metaphorical language. Debate poetry shows medieval writers' concern for intellectual inquiry and emphasizes the role of the genre as a precursor to Renaissance forms of philosophical dialogue.

Chronicles of Peterborough: A History

The Peterborough Chronicle (or Anglo-Saxon Chronicle Peterborough Manuscript), a major historical source, is one of the best-preserved examples of Old English prose. It is one of a number of versions of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a collection of annals documenting the history of England from Caesar's invasion in 55 BC until about the middle of the 12th century CE, and was compiled at Peterborough Abbey sometime during the 12th century CE.

Historically significant, the Peterborough Chronicle is an early instance of generally writing in English as opposed to Latin, which until then was the normal language for academic and legitimate records. The chronicle lists out major historical events — such as the Norman Conquest of 1066, and gives a distinctive insight into the political and social implications of one such event that radically turned England upside down with the inception of the norman rule.

One the main features of the Peterborough Chronicle is that the entries change from Old English to Middle English. It marks the transitional phase during which English speakers were being introduced to Norman French. So the chronicle is in this sense a historical and also a linguistic document revealing features of language development. Famine, war and the taxation imposed by Norman rule still resonate with us — its accounts provide a window into the resilience of medieval english society.

From the multitude of medieval literature, such as Peredur and the poetry of John Clanvowe to debate poetry and the Peterborough Chronicle, this variety displays a wonderful richness within our Middle Ages. Medieval literature provides a snapshot of the values, issues and aspirations of the time through stories of adventure and myth, courtly discussions on love and morality and accounts of historical events.

Genre: Medieval texts were typically fulgently mediating physical and spiritual realities, but a sacred background to the secular continues throughout medieval history. Across all eras, literature provided a platform for posing and responding to moral dilemmas, conveying cultural norms and values, or memorialising collective experience through the romantic odysseys of Arthurian legends, the philosophical arguments of allegorical characters, or the careful narratives of historians.

Medieval literature is passed on through the ages, influencing modern storytelling, poetry and historical writing. They call us to a universal literary memory, that of which span centuries and continents links the medieval with the present world through fiction, song and historiography.