History of British Literature Flashcards
Reformation, Queen Elizabeth, and Spanish Armada
- 16th and 17th century
- Henry the 8th wanted a divorce, so decided to split from the Roman Catholics and create his own church the Church of England (Protestant)
- “Virgin Queen”, was quite the writer herself and responsible for bringing England into greatness.
- Spain was the most powerful nation, and brought their ships to overthrow Queen Elizabeth, but they lost and England rose as a powerful nation.
- TIME OF ECONOMIC GREATNESS (LARGER MIDDLE CLASS) OPENED ENGLAND UP TO MORE FREETHINKING, INCLUDING PATRONAGE, WHERE KINGS WOULD PAY ARTISTS TO CREATE POETRY, PAINTINGS, MUSIC…
Shakespeare
- late 16th, early 17th century
- Greatest writer of the English language
- Married Anne Hathaway (3 children)
- Wrote 37 plays, 130 sonnets, part owner of the globe theatre.
- Tragedies histories and comedies
- “Romeo and Juliet” “Midsummers Night Dream”
Spenser
- Famous non-dramatic poet
- “Fairie Queen” Epic Poem
Marlowe
- One of Shakespeares inspirations
- Born like Shakespeare in Elizabethian Era
- developed the metre and blank verse
- Wrote about loss of belief in the church
- Stabbed to death
“King James” Bible
- Early 17th century
- English translation of the Bible by the Church of England… beautiful poetry
British Civil War-Oliver Cromwell
- Did it to give the puritans more freedom, called Lord protector of England
- Led parliament to overthrow the King
- When he succeeded and took power, he closed theatres, and was not in support of poetry, music or acting. BORING. NO SIGNIFICANT WRITING DURING THIS TIME… only biblical stuff
John Milton
- English poet under Cromwell
- Paradise Lost!!!!! Biblical shit
Puritans
- English protestants during 16th and early 17th century after rule of Queen Elizabeth.
- Believed knowledge of the bible was necessary for every human being (so lots of learning to read)
Restoration
- English monarchy (kings and queens) restored in late 17th century (1660)
- New political system
- Brought England back into greatness. Literature is a little better
Samuel Johnson
- Wrote Johnson dictionary
- Published in mid 18th century
- Was predominant dictionary until Oxford English Dictionary
- Language was caudified and controlled. Spelling was established
Anglo Saxons
Famed english speaking warriors who settled in Britain after the Romans left in 410 AD
-Were german, danish and dutch
King Alfred
- “Alfred the Great”
- Defeated the Danes in 870 AD and was crowned King of Wessex.
- Built up the army and navy to defend against the Danes and made reforms in education
1066 Norman Conquest
William the prince of Normandy invaded England in 1066
-Became king and established Norman rule over England
Thomas Becket
- Archbishop in 1161
- but when he stood up for the church against the King, and saw that the King was angry, he went into exile.
- 4 Knights murdered him upon his return in the canterbury cathedral and he was made a Saint
Hundred Years War
1337-1453
Series of war between France and England with tension dating back to 1066 with William of Normandy. Edward III believed he should be the King of France because his mothers brother was the former king of France, so he raised an army to fight.
Black Death
- Disease which killed within a week of contagion
- Out of the average population, 30-45% died, but in some villages it was 80-90%
Tudor Dynasty
First Monarch of England was Henry the 6th
15th-16th Century
Tudor family extended their power all throughout Europe for 4 successions
Geoffrey Chaucer
- English poet who wrote Canterbury Tales
- Famous epic written in English
War of Roses
series of civil wars in England and Lancaster and York
- Both were descendants of King Edward the 3rd
- Unrest caused these wars
Thomas More
English lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and humanist
- Tie was a confidant to King Henry the 8th
- and then was beheaded for denouncing the King as the head of the church
Morality Plays
- Genre of plays popular in the 15th-16th century
- Characters personified moral qualities (Beowulf)
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
- Romance, one of the most famous Arthurian stories
- Poem that highlights romance and heroism and emerges from Irish, Welsh, and English culture
