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A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the RenaissanceJusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules)

History

A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance

Name: A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance
Author: Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules)

Jusserand, J. J. (Jean Jules)

English literature -- History and criticism

V. St. Dunstan--Sermons.--St. Dunstan (tenth century)
  resumes the work of Alfred--Translation of pious
  works--Collections of sermons--AElfric, Wulfstan, "Blickling"
  homilies--Attempt to reach literary dignity.
    End of the Anglo-Saxon period                                     88


BOOK II.

_THE FRENCH INVASION._


CHAPTER I.

BATTLE.

  I. The Invaders of the Year 1066.--England between
  two civilisations--The North and South--The Scandinavians at
  Stamford-bridge.
    The Normans of France--The army of William is a French
  army--Character of William--The battle--Occupation of
  the country                                                         97

  II. England bound to Southern Civilisations.--Policy
  of William--Survey of his new domains--Unification--The
  successors of William--Their practical mind and their taste
  for adventures--Taste for art--French families settled in
  England--Continental possessions of English kings--French
  ideal--Unification of origins--Help from chroniclers and
  poets--The Trojan ancestor                                         104


CHAPTER II.

LITERATURE IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE UNDER THE NORMAN
AND ANGEVIN KINGS.

  I. Diffusion of the French Language.--The French
  language superimposed on the English one--Its progress; even
  among "lowe men"--Authors of English blood write their works
  in French                                                          116

  II. The French Literature of the Normans and
  Angevins.--It is animated by their own practical and
  adventurous mind--Practical works: chronicles, scientific
  and pious treatises                                                120

  III. Epic Romances.--The Song of Roland and the
  Charlemagne cycle--Comparison with "Beowulf"--The matter
  of Rome--How antiquity is _translated_--Wonders--The
  matter of Britain--Love--Geoffrey of Monmouth--Tristan and
  Iseult--Lancelot and Guinevere--Woman--Love as a passion
  and love as a ceremonial                                           125

  IV. Lays and Chansons.--Shorter stories--Lays of
  Marie de France--Chansons of France--Songs in French
  composed in England                                                141

  V. Satirical and Ironical Works.--Such works
  introduced in England--The pilgrimage of Charlemagne--The
  "Roman de Renart," a universal comedy--Fabliaux--Their
  migrations--Their aim--Their influence in England                  146


CHAPTER III.

LATIN.

  I. The Ties with Rome.--William I., Henry II.,
  John--Church lands--The "exempt" abbeys--Coming of the
  friars--The clergy in Parliament--Part played by prelates
  in the State--Warrior prelates, administrators, scavants, saints   157

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A Literary History of the English People, from the Origins to the Renaissance

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