Notes for Exam in Medieval Literature

1. General characterization of Middle Ages
Middle Ages = period from the death of antique culture to the French Revolution (1798). Restless time for Europe. Great Migration of Peoples, Christianity spread and established, first feudal (lord grants land to his vassals in exchange for military service and micl. payments) states were formed. Culture emerged from: folklore, antique culture heritage, Christianity.

2. Periods of Middle Ages.
Early MA (5-9c.) – Church split into Greek Orthodox Ch.(Eastern EUR) & Roman Catholic Ch.(Central, Western EUR) barbarian migration. Romance languages developed.
High MA (10-11c.) – first Feudal towns, EUR is stable, serfs find freedom in cities. First universities – Sorbonne(1200), Boulogne, Oxbridge. Epics are written down. Troubadours. Crusades.
Late MA (12-13c.) Famine and Black death. Peasant’s s rising. Hundred year’s war. Renewed interest in Latin and Greek texts. Literature of knighthood. Vagant poetry. Dante wrote “Divine Comedy”. Miracles.
Renaissance (13-16c.).…