CHAPTER III. THE ANGLO-NORMAN PERIOD (1066-1350)the story of the Norman Conquest. How did the Conquest
affect the life and literature of England?
- What types of literature were produced after the Con-
quest? How do they compare with Anglo-Saxon literature?
What works of this period are considered worthy of a perma-
nent place in our literature? - What is meant by the Riming Chronicles? What part did
they play in developing the idea of nationality? What led his-
torians of this period to write in verse? Describe Geoffrey’s
History. What was its most valuable element from the view
point of literature? - What is Layamon’sBrut? Why did Layamon choose
this name for his Chronicle? What special literary interest
attaches to the poem? - What were the Metrical Romances? What reasons led
to the great interest in three classes of romances, i.e. Mat-
ters of France, Rome, and Britain? What new and important
element enters our literature in this type? Read one of the
Metrical Romances in English and comment freely upon it,
as to interest, structure, ideas, and literary quality. - Tell the story ofSir Gawain and the Green Knight. What
French and what Saxon elements are found in the poem?
Compare it withBeowulf to show the points of inferiority
and superiority. Compare Beowulf’s fight with Grendel or
the Fire Drake and Sir Gawain’s encounter with the Green
Knight, having in mind (1) the virtues of the hero, (2) the
qualities of the enemy, (3) the methods of warfare, (4) the
purpose of the struggle. Read selections fromThe Pearland
compare withDear’s Lament. What are the personal and the
universal interests in each poem? - Tell some typical story from the Mabinogion. Where did
the Arthurian legends originate, and how did they become
known to English readers? What modern writers have used
these legends? What fine elements do you find in them that
are not found in Anglo-Saxon poetry?