Middle English Poetry
Hark, good fellows and fair maidens! Let us venture into the realm of Early Middle English poetry, where the language doth twinkle like a newborn star in the night sky. Prepare to be whisked away to a time of change and transition, where Old English's mighty reign doth yield to the rising dawn of a new era.
In this merry land, where Saxons and Normans doth collide, the poets of yore did forge a path for English verse to flourish. 'Twas a time of linguistic fusion, where Old English and French embraced in a linguistic dance, like a lively ceilidh in a grand medieval hall.
1. The Rhyming Chronicles: Epic Stories in Verse!
Get ready for a unique literary treat my nerds! In this period, we're blessed with an abundance of chronicles written in verse that will blow your mind. These chronicles are known for their incredible stories, wild imagination, and a good number of them even have a lively writing style that'll keep you hooked!
First, let us acquaint ourselves with
(a) The Brut: A Legendary Tale by Layamon!
Step into the world of Layamon, a monk from Gloucestershire who penned the romance-chronicle "The Brut also known as the Chronicle of Britain" around 1205. This massive work, spanning thirty thousand lines, is a reimagining of the Anglo-Norman Brut d'Angleterre by Wace, who, in turn, translated Geoffrey of Monmouth's Latin history of Britain. It is the first work in English to treat of the “matter of Britain”—i.e., the legends surrounding Arthur and the knights of the Round Table—and was written at a time when English was nearly eclipsed by French and Latin as a literary language. If you ever choose to read this masterpiece, you better brace yourself for an adventure with Brutus, the founder of the British race, and the great-grandson of the Trojan Aeneas, who arrives in England, establishes London, and becomes the ancestor of the earliest British kings. The poem may lack some excitement in its style, but it possesses a charming simplicity. Plus, it's a crucial marker of the transition from Old English to Middle English.
(b) Robert of Gloucester: History Comes Alive in Rhyme! Let's travel to the year 1300 and meet Robert of Gloucester, an enigmatic figure known solely for his rhyming history. With influences from Layamon, Geoffrey of Monmouth, and other chroniclers, he takes us on a journey through English history from Brutus to the year 1270. Expect some lively storytelling, rough but engaging meter, and longer lines compared to "The Brut." This dude knows how to keep you entertained!
(c) Robert Manning: From Noah to the English Kings! Meet Robert Manning, also known as Robert of Brunne or Bourne, hailing from Lincolnshire. Around 1288, he joined a monastery and gifted us with his masterpiece, "The Story of Ingelond." This epic begins with the Deluge and traces the lineage of English kings back to Noah. Manning weaves together elements from Pierre de Langtoft's work and Wace's Brut, creating a captivating tale. The epic presents us with a chaotic alexandrine verse with skillfully executed couplet rhymes and occasional surprises in the form of middle rhymes.
But that's not all! Manning also blesses us with "Handlyng Synne" (1303), a religious manual based on the French work, "Manuel des Pechiez." In this thirteen-thousand-line poem, he delivers insightful sermons on the Ten Commandments, the Seven Deadly Sins, and the Seven Sacraments. Expect lively anecdotes, keen observations, and an approximation to the octosyllabic couplet meter.
(d) Laurence Minot: A Poet with Passion for Edward III! Introducing Laurence Minot, a probable poet from around 1300s, who takes the stage with his eleven political/ battle songs. Published in 1795, these fiery and patriotic pieces celebrate the heroic exploits of Edward III. The poems are vigorously written in heavily alliterated rhyming verse. Minot's poems are bursting with raw poetic energy, and the meters will blow your mind. Get ready to feel the national pride!
2. Religious and Didactic Poetry:
(a) The Ormulum: Let's talk about The Ormulum, written by a guy named Orm, or Ormin, around 1200. This thing is massive, man, like twenty thousand lines long! It's all about religious sermons to some guy named Walter. But honestly, it ain't got much poetic merit. However, what's cool is the crazy attention to detail in the spelling, bro. The meter is interesting too, with a strict iambic rhythm, no rhymes, and alternating lines of eight and seven syllables. Its a linguistic treat crafted by the scholarly Orm. Though of little literary interest it has great value to linguists. In this epic tome, he sought to eliminate ambiguity in language, providing an early guide to pronunciation and spelling. 'Tis a poetic experiment that combines a moral message with linguistic precision, like a juggling act performed by a master wordsmith.
(b) The Owl and the Nightingale: Picture this: a poetic battle betwixt two feathered foes, debating matters of love, music, and the nature of existence itself. With wit and charm, these avian adversaries engage in verbal combat, while you are left to marvel at the poetic prowess and the sheer delight of their banter. The Owl and the Nightingale, supposedly written by Nicholas of Guildford around 1250, is basically a long argument in verse between a nightingale, who's all about enjoying life, and an owl, who's all wise and serious.
You could call it “debate poetry”. Ofcourse, every debate must have a mediator, in this case that being Nicholas, the narrator who overhears the avian mud-slinging match. Kapow! Lol, this kinda reminds me of Epic Rap Battles of History. You guys have to check it out.
Anyway this poem - the owl and the nightingale - is pretty lively, and the argument gets pretty heated. It's written in rhyming octosyllabic couplets, which is more regular than most stuff back then.
(c) Various Works: Alright, let's talk about some other works from around the mid-13th century. We’ve got The Orison to Our Lady, Genesis and Exodus, the Bestiary, the Moral Ode, the Proverbs of Alfred, and the Proverbs of Hendyng. Not much originality going on here, but they're important for experimenting with different meters. The Proverbs have some regular stanza structure, and the Moral Ode has a steady and mature rhythm, almost like a looong line close to the fourteen-syllable verse.
(d) The Cursor Mundi: Moving on to The Cursor Mundi, written around 1320. Its Latin title means ‘runner of the world’. This bad boy is a religious epic, almost thirty thousand lines long, written in the Northern dialect. The author divides the story into seven stages and takes inspiration from both the Old and New Testaments. The scope of Cursor Mundi is considerable, too, covering everything from the Creation to the End of the World and the Day of Judgement. It begins like a sort of prototype to John Milton’s Paradise Lost, recounting the war in heaven, the temptation of Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the subsequent Fall of Man. The Old Testament story is then followed by the account of Jesus’ life in the Gospels.The meter is a step up with a tight grip on the octosyllabic couplet.
Interesting fact: Cursor Mundi was a major source for the first edition of Oxford English Dictionary as was one of the major early texts to be published by the Early English Text Society
(e) Richard Rolle of Hampole: This dude, Richard Rolle of Hampole, was a hermit from Yorkshire who wrote some prose and a few short poems. But the real deal is his long poem called The Pricke of Conscience. It's based on Christian writings and explores the joys and sorrows of a person's life affected by good and evil. Rolle’s importance lies in the devotional prose he composed in the vernacular for women readers. The meter is almost like the octosyllabic couplet, with extensions and variations that sometimes resemble heroic verse.
(f) The Alliterative Poems: Ah, alliterative poems of Middle English literature, where the rhythmic repetition of consonant sounds doth reign supreme! Prepare to be enthralled by the enchanting verses crafted with skill and artistry - we’ve got four kickass poems in the West Midland dialect: the chivalric romance Sir Gawayne and the Grene Knight, two homiletic poems called Patience and Purity (or Cleanness), and an elegiac dream vision known as Pearl, all miraculously preserved in a single manuscript dated about 1400. We don't know who wrote them, but they all have a similar style, so maybe it's the same poet.
These poems are religious-themed. Pearl is the standout. This exquisite poem, written in a highly alliterative style, delves into themes of love, loss, and spiritual contemplation. Delight in lines such as "In a garden that glistened with gems so gay" and "On a lily-white lamb both lovely and small." There are some seriously beautiful passages in there. The meter is crazy complex with alliteration, twelve-line stanzas, and intricate rhymes.
Purity and Patience, though less impressive, have an intense energy and triumph that sets them apart. They are two alliterative poems of moral teaching.
And finally, we’ve got Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, one of the coolest romances out there. A splendid tale of honor and chivalry, where the alliterative prowess of the poet shines like a knight's gleaming armor. Marvel at the majestic lines such as "The green knight in the green chapel was found" and "Gawain, gayest of heroes, geared for the road." The meter is free-flowing, alliterative, and the rhyming stanzas can go up to twenty lines. It's a wild ride, bro!
3. The Metrical Romances.
Metrical romances were a popular form of narrative poetry in the medieval era, composed in verse and filled with tales of heroism and courtly love. They captivated audiences with their thrilling adventures and melodious rhythms, bringing to life a world of knights errant and noble quests.
(a) Epic Heroes of Early English History: Some shining examples of early metrical romances are "Horn," "Havelock the Dane”, "Guy of Warwick" and "Bevis of Hampton." These romances draw inspiration from badass heroes of the past, including the infamous Richard Cœur-de-Lion. Pardon my French!
(b) The Legendary Arthurian Adventures: Join the legendary Knights of the Round Table in a series of captivating romances. From the early gem "Sir Tristrem" to the enchanting "Arthur and Merlin," the epic "Morte d’Arthure," and the intriguing "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," these Arthurian romances will transport you to a world of chivalry and magic. For instance the legendary tale of "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." is a wondrous poem that follows the noble Sir Gawain as he embarks on a perilous journey, facing both physical and moral challenges that test his honor and courage. With its intricate verse forms and alliterative lines, the poem weaves a spellbinding narrative that explores the complexities of human nature and the virtues of chivalry.
(c) Classical Themes and Mythical Tales: Classical themes and mythical tales intertwine to create a tapestry of enchantment and wonder in the captivating stories of Middle English period. It drew inspiration from ancient mythology and classical literature. Explore the captivating exploits of Alexander the Great and the epic siege of Troy in romances like the impressive "King Alisaunder," the enchanting "Sir Orpheo," and the epic "The Destruction of Troy." These tales bring the ancient world to life with their larger-than-life heroes and mythical adventures.
(d) Charlemagne's Feats and Alliterative Romance: Discover the lesser-known romances centered around the legendary Charlemagne. While smaller in number, these tales, such as the impressive alliterative "Rauf Coilyear" and the thrilling "Sir Ferumbras," offer a unique glimpse into the heroic deeds of this historical figure.
(e) Contemporary Events and Intriguing Love Stories: Step into the world of romances that reflect the events of their time. From the touching love story of "Amis and Amiloun" to the captivating "William of Palerne" with its "missing heir" theme, and the well-known tale of "The Squire of Low Degree" who falls for the king's daughter of Hungary, these romances offer both interest and beauty.
Prepare to be captivated by the diversity of meter and style in these romances. With a prevailing focus on martial exploits and amorous adventures, these stories often feature a touch of the supernatural, adding an extra layer of excitement. What makes them even more fascinating is the glimpse they offer into the daily lives and customs of the time. Get ready to embark on a delightful journey through this enchanting genre of fiction!
Comments