Mediaeval Literature

The Medieval literature developed for a continuous period of time starting with the downfall of the Roman Empire and up to the 15th century. Sometimes, Medieval Ages are called "Dark" Ages and that's absolutely right as right after the disappearance of the powerful Ancient civilization, there came a millennium of barbarism and ignorance.

Anyway, the World Literature developed even under those conditions. The main literary achievement of those troublous times is poems about courageous warriors. The one of the most prominent poems is "The Song of Roland". It personified religious ideology and political intrigues.

There is an all-absorbing poem of the 12th century named "The Song of Sid". This masterpiece depicts the deeds of the Spanish people for the love of own motherland. The Spaniards fought against Arabic conquerors.

The German nation has "The Song of Nibelungs". The manuscript is referred to 1200. It is the story of immortal love and countless treasures.

The period of 12th-15th centuries is the period of chivalrous and courteous literature. This time span is remarkable for poetic novel "Tristan and Isolda". In England there appears a cycle of folklore ballads about the most legendary robber Robin Hood.

At the beginning of the 14th century, a great Italian poet Dante Alighieri writes his "Commedia" which describes all the earthly and unearthly sins of the church and regal power.

By the end of the 15th century, Mediaeval Literature transforms into the Literature of Renaissance.