Anglo-Norman literature

Anglo-Norman literature is a special kind of writing that was created between the years 1066 and 1204. It was written in the Anglo-Norman language, which was spoken during a time when the Duchy of Normandy and the Kingdom of England were joined together as one place called the Anglo-Norman realm. This literature includes many different kinds of stories and poems that tell us about life and culture from that time long ago. Because it was written in a language that mixed old French with English, it gives us a unique look at the history and ideas of people living in that special period.

Introduction

The Norman language came to England with William the Conqueror. After the Norman Conquest, it was spoken by the nobility. The Anglo-Norman language, a special kind of Norman used in England, became the main language for writing in the 12th century and was used at the royal court until the 14th century. During Henry IV's time, English became the everyday language of England’s kings.

Anglo-Norman literature grew strongly from the early 12th century until around 1225. Important writers like Wace, Benoît de Sainte-More, and Marie de France created famous stories during this time. These works included many different kinds of writing, such as tales of adventures, teachings, and poems.

Fiction

The French epic stories came to England very early. It is believed that the Chanson de Roland (Song of Roland) was sung at the battle of Hastings, and some Anglo-Norman manuscripts of chansons de geste have survived to this day. Many exciting tales, like the Romance of Horn and Bovon de Hampton, were influenced by these epic stories.

Breton romances and adventure stories show how French and English literature influenced each other. Famous tales like The Lais of Marie de France were written in England. Legends of Merlin and Arthur also spread from England into French literature. The famous love story of Tristan and Iseult was written by Anglo-Norman authors.

Historiography

The Anglo-Norman period produced many important historical writings. One of the first writers was Geoffrey Gaimar, who wrote Estoire des Engleis for Dame Constance. His book covered events up to the death of William Rufus and used historical documents for accuracy.

Another important writer was Wace, who wrote Roman de Rou and Brut. These works included both historical facts and popular stories of the time. Benoît de Sainte-More also wrote about the dukes of Normandy, though his stories sometimes focused more on exciting adventures than strict facts.

Other valuable histories include The History of William the Marshal, written about the famous regent of England. This book gives a lively look at life in the medieval period, based on notes from William’s squire. There were also many other chronicles and poems that told the stories of kings, battles, and important events, helping us learn about this time long ago.

Didactic literature

Didactic literature is a big part of Anglo-Norman literature. It includes many works meant to teach religious and everyday lessons to lords and ladies. Some important examples are:

• Philippe de Thaun wrote a poem about the calendar around 1119.
• There are psalters, like the Oxford and Cambridge versions, from around 1150 to 1160.
• There are translations and stories, such as the Disticha Catonis and Le Roman de fortune.
• Other works include Donnei des Amanz, which has tales like L'homme et le serpent and L'homme et l'oiseau.
• Many books taught lessons, like Enseignements Trebor and Le Corset and Le Miroir by Robert de Gretham.
• In the 14th century, Nicole Bozon wrote moral tales, and there were books to help people learn French.

These writings helped teach important ideas and stories to people living at the time.

Apocrypha

Anglo-Norman writers told many religious stories that were not part of the usual Bible teachings. One example is Les Enfaunces de Jesu Crist, which tells an older French story about the early life of Jesus.

Some important books were translated into the Anglo-Norman language. For example, a book about the priesthood of Jesus, originally written long ago in Greek, was later put into Latin and then translated into Anglo-Norman.

There were also special collections of stories about Mary, the mother of Jesus. These stories were gathered by different writers. One collection was made by a writer named Adgar, who translated stories from an older writer named William of Malmesbury. Another collection was written by Everard of Gateley, a monk who lived near Bury. A third collection included sixty different stories about Mary.

Other religious tales were written by a person named Chardri. These include stories about the Seven Sleepers and the life of Josaphat, which were written around the year 1216.

Hagiography

Anglo-Norman literature included many stories about the lives of saints. Some important ones are:

• Voyage de Saint Brandan, written in 1121 for Queen Aelis of Louvain.
• Life of St. Catherine by Clemence of Barking.
• Life of St. Giles, written around 1170 by Guillaume de Berneville.
• Life of St. Nicholas and life of Our Lady, by Wace.
• Life of St. George by Simon de Fresne.
• Expurgatoire de Ste. Patrice, by Marie de France.
• La vie de St. Edmund le Rei, by Denis Pyramus, from the end of the 12th century.
• Life of St. Thais by Henri d'Arci.
• Life of St. Gregory the Great by Frère Angier, written on April 30, 1214.
• The Vie de seint Clement, from the early 13th century.
• Life of St. Modwenna, written between 1225 and 1250.
• Stories about St. Thomas Becket, written around 1230 and in the 13th century.
• Life of Edward the Confessor, written before 1245 by an anonymous monk of Westminster.

Lyric poetry

The most important songs from Anglo-Norman literature are the seventy-one Ballads by Gower. Many of these songs were religious in nature. Although there were many songs long ago, only a few have survived because of mixing between English, French, and Provençals people.

One famous piece of Anglo-Norman lyric poetry from the late 13th century is called the Plainte d'amour. There are also many other lyrical works written in two or three languages, such as Latin and French, or English and French. For example, in Early English Lyrics, there is a poem where a lover sends a greeting to his friend in three languages, and the friend replies in the same way.

Satire

The Roman de Renart and the Anglo-Norman version of the Riote du Monde were very popular in England, showing that people there really enjoyed funny and clever jokes. Writers often made jokes about priests and women, but some also defended women. One poet wrote a poem called La Bonté des dames to praise ladies, while another writer, Nicole Bozon, first made strong criticisms about women but later wrote a piece called Bounté des femmes where he praised their kindness, humility, and care for their children. There were also some funny poems about the differences between French and English people.

Drama

Anglo-Norman drama likely influenced the development of mystery plays in England. However, none of the French plays performed in England during the 12th and 13th centuries have survived. A play called Adam, often thought to be an Anglo-Norman mystery from the 12th century, was probably written in France at the start of the 13th century. Similarly, a play known as the Anglo-Norman Resurrection is actually from continental France. The earliest English morality plays appear to have been inspired by French plays.

Main article: mystery play

Main articles: morality plays