Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

This compilation is designed for teachers and professors creating or revising a Medieval Literature syllabus, a broad subject whose texts run the gamut from the religious to the profane. Read on to discover study guides featuring expert analyses and discussion topics on some of the most frequently taught texts of the Middle Ages, such as Dante’s Inferno and The Canterbury Tales.

Publication year 1942Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

Adam of the Road, published in 1942, was written by American author and librarian Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining and illustrated by Robert Lawson. Vining wrote many children’s books and holds the rare distinction of winning both the Newberry Medal and the Caldecott Medal, for her books Rabbit Hill and They Were Strong and Good, respectively. Adam of the Road is a historical fiction novel set in the 13th century that focuses on a child’s coming of... Read Adam of the Road Summary


Publication year 1999Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Children's Literature, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Historical Fiction

Publication year 1992Genre Book, NonfictionTags History: European, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

William Manchester's A World Lit Only by Fire: The Medieval Mind and the Renaissance investigates the causes of the Dark Ages and the people and events that led to the birth of the Renaissance. The book, published in 1992, is notable for its lively storytelling and portrayals of some of the greatest villains and heroes of the period. A World Lit Only by Fire is intended as an entertaining, informative book about a period in... Read A World Lit Only by Fire Summary


Publication year 1959Genre Play, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Historical Fiction, Play: Tragedy, Religion / Spirituality, History: European, Politics / Government, French Literature, Modernism, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Classic Fiction

Becket or The Honor of God is a 1959 play by the French dramatist Jean Anouilh. It portrays a fictionalized version of the conflict that took place between King Henry II of England and the archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas Becket, in the 12th century. The English translation of the play premiered on Broadway in 1960 to great acclaim and was adapted into an Academy Award-winning film in 1964.The central conflict of Becket, which ended in... Read Becket Summary


Publication year 1000Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionTags Classic Fiction, British Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

Beowulf is an epic poem written in Old English by an anonymous author around the year 1000 CE. While most of the poem was discovered intact, some of it had been destroyed, likely burned in a fire. The surviving piece was generally regarded as of more interest to historians and anthropologists than to literary scholars until writer and academic J. R. R. Tolkien argued otherwise in a 1936 paper entitled "Beowulf: The Monsters and the... Read Beowulf Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Values/Ideas: FateTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1994Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Femininity, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Religion / Spirituality, Class, Gender / Feminism, History: European, British Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Children's Literature, History: World, Humor

American author Karen Cushman’s middle grade novel, Catherine, Called Birdy, explores the life of a young woman in 13th-century England. Published in 1994, the book won the Newbery Honor the following year. It is currently being adapted for the screen by actor, writer, and director Lena Dunham. This detailed work of historical fiction immerses the reader in the very different world of medieval England, with its emphasis on religion as the organizing force behind daily... Read Catherine, Called Birdy Summary


Publication year 1400Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Society: ClassTags History: European, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Military / War, Class, Religion / Spirituality, History: World, French Literature, Classic Fiction

Publication year 524Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: FateTags Self Help, Italian Literature, Ancient Rome, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

The Consolation of Philosophy by Roman senator and philosopher Boethius is considered the last great philosophical work of the classical era and one of the foundational texts of medieval Christian thought. Anicius Boethius (c. 477-524 CE) was a philosopher and statesman in late Roman times, acting as advisor to the Gothic king Theodoric. Around 523, he was convicted of conspiracy and treason and sentenced to death. While in prison, and prior to his trial, he... Read Consolation Of Philosophy Summary


Publication year 2002Genre Novel, FictionThemes Life/Time: Coming of Age, Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Class, Depression / Suicide, History: European, Politics / Government, Poverty

Crispin: The Cross of Lead is a 2002 children’s historical fiction novel by Avi. Set in medieval England, the novel follows the adventures of a boy who goes on the run after he is falsely accused of theft and murder and explores themes related to poverty, education, choice, and freedom. Crispin won the Newbery Medal in 2003. A sequel, Crispin at the Edge of the World, was released in 2006, while a third novel, Crispin:... Read Crispin: The Cross of Lead Summary


Publication year 1307Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionTags Italian Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Christian literature

The Inferno is the first book of Dante Alighieri’s great medieval epic, The Divine Comedy: a monument of world literature. Written between 1308 and 1320, the three-part poem charts Dante’s transformative journey through Hell and Purgatory to Heaven itself. The poem’s form—terza rima, an endlessly circling pattern of interweaving triple rhymes—reflects its major theme: the wisdom, power, and love of the trinitarian Christian God. Like every book of the Comedy, Inferno ends with the word... Read Dante's Inferno Summary


Publication year 1717Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Family, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Guilt, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Emotions/Behavior: ApathyTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Love / Sexuality, Relationships, Religion / Spirituality, Age of Enlightenment, British Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Gothic Literature, History: World, Drama / Tragedy, Romance, Classic Fiction

“Eloisa to Abelard” is a poem published in 1717 by Alexander Pope. The poem discusses the ill-fated love affair of a real-life couple from 12th-century France: Heloïse d’Argenteuil, a gifted 18-year-old student, and Peter Abelard, a renowned French scholar, philosopher, and poet of the Medieval era who was 20 years older than Heloïse. The poem is a heroic verse epistle, which is a genre first made famous in Ovid’s Heroides. Pope adopts Eloisa’s persona and... Read Eloisa to Abelard Summary


Publication year 1170Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Relationships: MarriageTags Romance, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, French Literature, Education, Education, Mythology, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Erec and Enide is a book-length poem written by French poet Chrétien de Troyes around the year 1170. The poem is one of Chrétien’s series of so-called Arthurian romances—a genre of poem in the Middle Ages that told the stories of the individuals associated with King Arthur’s court. His poems are among the earliest to refer to King Arthur and his knights, and Erec and Enide focuses on the adventures of the knight Erec. This... Read Erec and Enide Summary


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Publication year 1485Genre Play, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Emotions/Behavior: Forgiveness, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Religion / Spirituality, Christian literature

Publication year 1986Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Relationships: MarriageTags History: European, Women's Studies (Nonfiction), Education, Education, Italian Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World

In Giovanni and Lusanna: Love and Marriage in Renaissance Florence, published in 2004, historian Gene Brucker describes the events of a single relationship in fifteenth-century Florence. This “microhistory” of a romance and subsequent court trial demonstrates how Florentine society treated love, marriage, and social class.In Chapter 1, Brucker reveals that he learned of the relationship between Giovanni di Ser Lodovico della Casa and Lusanna di Girolamo through the records of the notary Ser Filippo Mazzei... Read Giovanni and Lusanna Summary


Publication year 1995Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Nation, Society: Globalization, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: EducationTags History: European, Irish Literature, Religion / Spirituality, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World

How the Irish Saved Civilization: The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe is a popular history by Irish American author Thomas Cahill, published in 1995. The book argues that Ireland’s conversion to Christianity was instrumental in preserving the remnants of classical culture that survived in Western Europe after the Roman Empire’s demise. The book was on The New York Times Best Seller list for... Read How the Irish Saved Civilization Summary


Publication year 1819Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Society: Nation, Society: WarTags Historical Fiction, Romanticism / Romantic Period, British Literature, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Romance

Ivanhoe is a historical fiction novel by Walter Scott, first published in 1819. The novel or “romance” is a fanciful account of English life in the 12th century, during the time of King Richard I (Richard “Coeur de Lion”). The protagonist of the story is Wilfred of Ivanhoe, a knight returning home from fighting in the Third Crusade. His journey weaves together historical events, religious conflict, and Medieval folklore and explores themes of Chivalry as... Read Ivanhoe Summary


Publication year 1953Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: FateTags Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Religion / Spirituality, Children's Literature, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure

Publication year 2009Genre Poem, FictionTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

Publication year 2021Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Sexuality, Identity: Gender, Identity: FemininityTags Historical Fiction, LGBTQ, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Gender / Feminism, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1891Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Life/Time: Childhood & Youth, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Friendship, Self Discovery, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Politics / Government, Children's Literature, History: World, Fantasy

Men of Iron is an 1891 young adult novel written and illustrated by Howard Pyle. Pyle was born in Delaware in 1853, and after years of training—beginning with a childhood passion for art—he taught illustration at Drexel University before establishing his own institute, the Howard Pyle School of Illustration Art. His style of art, which he himself was instrumental in developing, was named the Brandywine School after the mid-Atlantic region from which the artists in... Read Men of Iron Summary


Publication year 1200Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Trust & Doubt, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & Anger, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Relationships: FamilyTags Classic Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, Mythology

Sometimes referred to as the “German Iliad,” Nibelungenlied is a 13th-century German epic poem that combines historical events with German heroic legend. The epic’s poet is unknown—though some clues within the text suggest that he was from Passau, Germany. The epic, which literally translates to “The Song of the Nibelungs” in English, portrays the Burgundians’ historic defeat by the Huns in the 5th century—the tragic result of the mythical queen Kriemhild’s desire to avenge her... Read Nibelungenlied Summary


Publication year 1532Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Gender, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Gender / Feminism, History: European, Love / Sexuality, Military / War, Italian Literature, Renaissance, Mental Illness, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1320Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Self DiscoveryTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Religion / Spirituality, Philosophy, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Italian Literature, Fantasy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Paradiso is the third and concluding part of The Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri’s three-part epic narrative poem. It completes the allegorical journey initiated by the first two parts, Inferno (Hell) and Purgatorio (Purgatory). Beatrice, who symbolizes Dante’s ideal woman and who had previously accompanied him through the past part of Purgatory, here accompanies him as he journeys through the nine levels or spheres of Heaven, which are represented by various celestial bodies. In each sphere... Read Paradiso Summary


Publication year 1215Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Self Discovery, Society: Community, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Classic Fiction, Narrative / Epic Poem, Mythology, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, German Literature, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Parzival is a medieval romance poem written by Wolfram von Eschenbach, likely written during the early 1200s. In the poem, a knight named Parzival searches for the Holy Grail. Commonly associated with the stories of King Arthur, Parzival is regarded as one of the most important verse poems of the medieval German period. The story has been adapted many times, notably as an opera named Parsifal by the composer Richard Wagner. This guide uses the... Read Parzival Summary


Publication year 1992Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags History: European, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Religion / Spirituality, Class, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 1181Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Fame, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Self DiscoveryTags Mythology, French Literature, Classic Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure

Publication year 1316Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Classic Fiction, Italian Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Christian literature

Purgatorio is the second of three poems that make up The Divine Comedy by Florentine statesman, poet, and philosopher Dante. In The Divine Comedy, Dante travels first through Hell (the poem Inferno), then through Purgatory (the poem Purgatorio), and finally through Heaven (the poem Paradiso). Purgatorio follows Dante on his journey from the shores of Purgatory, through the seven levels where penitents atone for the seven deadly sins, and into the Garden of Eden. The... Read Purgatorio Summary


Publication year 1393Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Emotions/Behavior: GriefTags Religion / Spirituality, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Christian literature, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Revelations of Divine Love, by Julian of Norwich (c. 1342 to after 1416), is a classic work of Christian spirituality from the late Middle Ages, as well as the first book written in English by a woman. Originally in Middle English, Julian's text has been translated numerous times into more modern forms of English, and its spiritual insights have attracted such admirers as T.S. Eliot and Pope Benedict XVI. Few details are known about the author's... Read Revelations of Divine Love Summary


Publication year 1397Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Classic Fiction, Narrative / Epic Poem, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a chivalric romance of unknown authorship. Written sometime in the late-14th century, the work employs a complex metrical scheme that involves several lines of pentameter punctuated by a “bob and wheel”: a two-syllable “bob” followed by a rhyming quatrain of six-syllable lines. The bob and wheel structure is fairly typical of Middle English verse, as is the alliterative verse used throughout the sections written in pentameter. Its subject... Read Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Summary


Publication year 1329Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: MusicTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Classic Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Education, Education, British Literature, Fantasy

Publication year 1274Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Good & EvilTags Religion / Spirituality, Christian literature, Italian Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

Summa Theologica (originally Summa Theologiae) is the principal work of Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), an Italian friar, philosopher, and theologian and one of the central figures in medieval Christian thought. Aquinas wrote the Summa between 1265 and 1273, intending it to serve as a summation of all known theological learning for seminarians. He never finished the massive Latin work, but what he completed has influenced Roman Catholic theology and Western thought in general. Aquinas’ central... Read Summa Theologica Summary


Publication year 1976Genre Novel, FictionTags Fantasy, Mythology, American Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights is the final, unfinished work of Pulitzer-Prize winning author John Steinbeck. Steinbeck is most famous for The Grapes of Wrath (1939), East of Eden (1952), and Of Mice and Men (1937). The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights is Steinbeck’s only fantasy novel. He began writing it in 1958 but abandoned the project in late 1959 after completing seven chapters. Steinbeck died nine years... Read The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights Summary


Publication year 1956Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: Class, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Class, Children's Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy

Publication year 1186Genre Book, NonfictionTags History: European, French Literature, Love / Sexuality, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction

The Art of Courtly Love by Andreas Capellanus (Andrew the Chaplain, whose true identity remains unknown) was composed in Latin between 1186 and 1190. This study guide refers to the translation by John Jay Parry. The original Latin title, De amore, translates literally to “about” or “concerning” love, which reflects the text’s theme of inquiring into love—what it is, for whom is it possible, how to provoke it, how to sustain and increase it, and... Read The Art of Courtly Love Summary


Publication year 1726Genre Poem, FictionThemes Society: War, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Shame & Pride, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European, Grief / Death, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Classic Fiction

“The Battle of Maldon” is a heroic poem, also classified as an epic, dating from the 10th century. Originally written in Old English, the text details a violent battle between the Anglo-Saxon warriors and the raiding Vikings. The Anglo-Saxons are led by Earl Byrhtnoth, who held land in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Essex and fought for his ruler, King Æthelred the Unready. The poem depicts some of the central tenets of Anglo-Saxon culture, praising loyalty... Read The Battle of Maldon Summary


Publication year 1969Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Community, Society: Nation, Society: Economics, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags History: European, Health / Medicine, Science / Nature, Religion / Spirituality, Politics / Government, Urban Development, Leadership/Organization/Management, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World

Publication year 2004Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Science & Technology, Society: ClassTags History: European, Health / Medicine, Science / Nature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1436Genre Autobiography / Memoir, NonfictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Identity: Femininity, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Values/Ideas: Safety & DangerTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Religion / Spirituality, History: World, Travel Literature, Education, Education, Classic Fiction, Biography

The Book of Margery Kempe is a 15th-century autobiography of an English mystic, wife, and mother who devoted much of her life to Christian spirituality. Kempe (b. ca. 1373) was a semi-literate member of the upper-middle class from King’s Lynn, a mercantile town in Norfolk, a county in eastern England. She gave birth over a dozen times before she convinced her husband to embrace a chaste marriage. Kempe claimed to have divine revelations in which... Read The Book of Margery Kempe Summary


Publication year 1400Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Identity: Sexuality, Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Classic Fiction, Satire, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, British Literature, Education, Education, Historical Fiction

Written in the late 1300s, Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales is one of the greatest surviving works of Middle English literature, and was a huge influence on later writers from Shakespeare to Keats, among many others.This guide refers to Neville Coghill’s modern English translation (Penguin, 2003).Plot SummaryThe Canterbury Tales tells the story of a group of pilgrims traveling from London to Canterbury to visit the holy shrine of St. Thomas Becket. This is a story... Read The Canterbury Tales Summary


Publication year 1764Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Emotions/Behavior: Fear, Emotions/Behavior: Revenge, Identity: Masculinity, Life/Time: The Future, Natural World: Place, Relationships: Daughters & Sons, Relationships: Family, Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction, Classic Fiction, Gothic Literature, British Literature, History: European, Politics / Government, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Age of Enlightenment, Religion / Spirituality, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, Fantasy

The Castle of Otranto, first published in 1764 by English author Horace Walpole (1717-1797), is considered the first supernatural work of Gothic fiction, influencing many well-known 19th century writers such as Clara Reeve, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, and Robert Louis Stevenson.The five-chapter long novella revolves around the mysterious supernatural events at the titular castle, whose owner goes to villainous lengths to maintain control of it. Walpole introduces Gothic elements that drive the... Read The Castle of Otranto Summary


Publication year 1980Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Society: Community, Values/Ideas: Trust & DoubtTags Religion / Spirituality, Education, Education, Anthropology, Anthropology, Italian Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, History: European

Publication year 1983Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Military / War, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Religion / Spirituality, Politics / Government

Publication year 1485Genre Novel, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Mythology, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

First published in 1485, Thomas Malory's Le Morte d’Arthur collected the mythological-historical legends about King Arthur from numerous source texts into a comprehensive prose narrative divided into plot sections and written in late Middle English. Although multiple men named Thomas Malory lived around that time, the most likely author was an English knight, later a prisoner in Newgate, who would have been educated in all the practices of “courtesy” (knightly conduct). The title of his... Read The Death of King Arthur Summary


Publication year 1353Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Literature, Identity: Sexuality, Identity: GenderTags Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Italian Literature, Gender / Feminism, Religion / Spirituality, Class, Education, Education, History: World

The Decameron is a collection of short stories by Italian author Giovanni Boccaccio, completed in 1353. The book was published in the wake of the Black Death, a bubonic plague which swept through Europe in the 14th century. The plague killed a large percentage of the population of Boccaccio’s native Florence. Boccaccio uses the epidemic as a key part of the book’s framing narrative, as in the book, a group of young Florentine men and... Read The Decameron Summary


Publication year 1964Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Natural World: Appearance & Reality, Natural World: Environment, Natural World: Objects, Natural World: Space & The Universe, Society: Colonialism, Values/Ideas: Art, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags History: World, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Philosophy, Arts / Culture, Literary Criticism, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Religion / Spirituality

Written by C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), The Discarded Image is a 1964 nonfiction book that explores the literary landscape of Europe during the Medieval Era. Lewis, who is best known for his children’s book series The Chronicles of Narnia, was also a literature professor at Oxford and Cambridge, as well as one of the most widely celebrated Christian apologists of his time. Published shortly after his death, The Discarded Image explores how medieval writers and... Read The Discarded Image Summary


Publication year 1949Genre Novel, FictionThemes Relationships: Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / PerseveranceTags Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Children's Literature, Fantasy, Disability, Education, Education, History: World

Publication year 1996Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Hope, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Life/Time: Mortality & DeathTags Christian literature, Religion / Spirituality, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, Education, Education, History: European, Classic Fiction

Publication year 2020Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Action / Adventure, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: European, British Literature, History: World

Publication year 590Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Society: Nation, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & GreedTags History: European, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, French Literature, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1136Genre Book, NonfictionTags History: European, Education, Education, British Literature, Mythology, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Originally composed in Latin, The History of the Kings of Britain by Geoffrey of Monmouth claims to be a history of Britain’s kings from the island’s founding by Trojan descendent Brutus in 1200 BCE, to the Britons’ abandonment of the island in the seventh century CE. The text first appeared in the 1130s and was immediately popular, inspiring retellings and adaptations by writers and artists through the centuries. Because its historical merit is almost nonexistent... Read The History of the Kings of Britain Summary


Publication year 1100Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Marriage, Relationships: SiblingsTags Classic Fiction, Romance, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Fairy Tale / Folklore, Religion / Spirituality, History: European, French Literature, Education, Education, Mythology, Fantasy

The Lais of Marie de France is a collection of 12 romantic narratives—known as Breton Lais—composed in the late 12th century and credited to the French-English poet Marie de France. The lay or lai is a short tale of octosyllabic rhyming couplets which is generally 600–1000 lines long. It can be accompanied by music and is typical of Brittany, a Northern French region with strong Celtic influences. Themes of love, chivalry and the supernatural are... Read The Lais of Marie de France Summary


Publication year 2004Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Emotions/Behavior: Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Hate & AngerTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: European, Mystery / Crime Fiction, History: World, French Literature

Publication year 2004Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: MasculinityTags Historical Fiction, Action / Adventure, British Literature, Military / War, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Fantasy

The Last Kingdom, published in 2004, was the first volume in what would become a series of 12 historical adventure novels, set in Britain in the late-ninth and early 10th centuries. The novels chronicle the bloody territorial wars between the English armies of the island’s then four kingdoms and the invading Danish armies, fierce Northern warriors known in contemporary pop culture as the Vikings. Bernard Cornwell was already an established and prolific writer of historical... Read The Last Kingdom Summary


Publication year 1133Genre Collection of Letters, NonfictionTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: European, French Literature

The Letters of Abelard and Heloise tells the story of two 12th-century French scholars and lovers. The tragic ending of their love affair leads both to take religious vows, one entering a convent and the other, a monastery. Nearly a decade after their separation, the two reconnect and begin to correspond through letters. Their letters reveal that Abelard has found peace as a monk, even though he is constantly embroiled in charges of heresy on... Read The Letters Of Abelard And Heloise Summary


Publication year 1883Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & BetrayalTags Classic Fiction, Poverty, Social Justice, Class, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Renaissance, Children's Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Action / Adventure

The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood is a much-beloved adventure novel by Howard Pyle (1853-1911), published in 1883. Pyle, an American illustrator and children’s author, wove together several of the early ballads about the famed medieval outlaw Robin Hood and his companions, the Merry Men, in an episodic and entertaining plot aimed at young readers of the late nineteenth century. Written in a pseudo-archaic English actually modeled on Elizabethan-era English, the book reflects a colorful... Read The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood Summary


Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Self Discovery, Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Children's Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

The Midwife’s Apprentice was written by Karen Cushman and published in 1991 by Houghton Mifflin. A young adult historical fiction novel set in medieval England, the story follows a young unhoused girl with no ambitions or sense of belonging as she experiences kindness and learns to have confidence in herself and find her place in the world through midwifery. The book won the John Newbery Medal in 1996, an honor also given to Cushman’s 1995... Read The Midwife's Apprentice Summary


Publication year 1377Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Society: Politics & Government, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Identity: Race, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: CommunityTags History: World, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: Middle Eastern, Middle Eastern Literature, Sociology, Philosophy, Philosophy, Classic Fiction, Politics / Government, Religion / Spirituality

Publication year 1989Genre Novel, FictionTags Historical Fiction, British Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Fantasy, Classic Fiction

Welsh writer Ken Follett begins his novel The Pillars of the Earth (1989) with the sinking of the White Ship in 1120 and ends it with the murder of Thomas Beckett in 1170. This is the first book in the Kingsbridge series, followed by World Without End (2007) and A Column of Fire (2017). Follett later released the prequel, The Evening and the Morning, in 2020.The White Ship sinking in the English Channel resulted in... Read The Pillars of the Earth Summary


Publication year 2012Genre Biography, NonfictionThemes Society: Class, Society: Nation, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags History: European, Politics / Government, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature

Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Identity: Masculinity, Relationships: Fathers, Relationships: FriendshipTags Historical Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, Action / Adventure, History: European, Military / War

The Song of the Cid, also known as El Cantar de mio Cid, is a Spanish epic written in verse by an unknown author. The only surviving medieval Spanish epic, it is widely considered Spain’s national folktale, telling of fictionalized events at the formation of medieval Spain in the 11th century. It is based on the true story of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, a Castilian knight who in reality fought for both Christian and Muslim... Read The Poem of the Cid Summary


Publication year 1983Genre Book, NonfictionThemes Relationships: Marriage, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Crime / Legal, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, French Literature, History: European, Biography

In The Return of Martin Guerre, Natalie Zemon Davis, historian and professor at Princeton University, reconstructs the sixteenth century legend of Martin Guerre, a man with a wooden leg who arrived to a courthouse in Toulouse just in time to denounce an imposter who had stolen his wife, his family, and his inheritance. Arnaud du Tilh, a clever and persuasive peasant with a somewhat sordid past, had indeed taken Martin’s identity, and he nearly escaped... Read The Return of Martin Guerre Summary


Publication year 1230Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Determination / Perseverance, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Femininity, Identity: Sexuality, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: BeautyTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Allegory / Fable / Parable, Romance, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, French Literature, History: World, Historical Fiction, Classic Fiction

The Romance of the Rose, or Roman de la Rose in the original French, is an allegorical poem written between the years 1225 and 1278 by two authors, Guillaume de Lorris and Jean de Meun. De Lorris wrote the first three chapters of the work from 1225-1230, and de Meun added nine additional chapters from approximately 1269-1278. Not much is known about either author, but the poem became a foundational piece of medieval literature, particularly... Read The Romance of the Rose Summary


Publication year 1500Genre Play, FictionTags Classic Fiction, Elizabethan Era, Education, Education, British Literature, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Drama / Tragedy

The Second Shepherd’s Play is a medieval mystery play written by an anonymous author known as the Wakefield Master that centers on a retelling of the Biblical story of the Nativity. The play is written in verse. At the beginning of the play, the 1st shepherd, Col, and the 2nd shepherd, Gib, are guarding their flocks and grumbling about the freezing weather. In his opening speech, Col complains about the fact that as poor shepherds... Read The Second Shepherd's Play Summary


Publication year 1095Genre Poem, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Win & Lose, Values/Ideas: Safety & Danger, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Society: War, Society: Nation, Emotions/Behavior: CourageTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, Military / War, History: European, Trauma / Abuse / Violence, French Literature

Composed at the turn of the 12th century, La Chanson de Roland (translated as The Song of Roland) recounts the events surrounding the Battle of Roncevaux Pass in 778 CE. The Song of Roland is likely the oldest surviving poem in French and was immensely popular across Europe during the Middle Ages. The poem establishes many tropes and themes that have come to characterize medieval chivalric romances, but Roland is also an epic poem in... Read The Song of Roland Summary


Publication year 1903Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: Masculinity, Natural World: Place, Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal, Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Values/Ideas: Good & Evil, Values/Ideas: Win & LoseTags Mythology, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Classic Fiction, Action / Adventure, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Children's Literature, Coming of Age / Bildungsroman, Fairy Tale / Folklore

The Story of King Arthur and His Knights, written and illustrated by Howard Pyle, was originally published in 1903. Pyle’s Book 1s part of the Arthurian romance genre, which begins with Geoffrey of Monmouth’s introduction of the Arthur character in The History of the Kings of Britain, written in the twelfth century. The Arthurian, or chivalric, romance genre includes texts from many different eras and in many different languages. Pyle’s novel offers an American perspective... Read The Story of King Arthur and His Knights Summary


Publication year 2002Genre Novel, FictionThemes Identity: GenderTags Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Mythology, Classic Fiction, Gender / Feminism

The Táin, or the Táin Bó Cuailnge, is an Irish epic that is part of the larger Ulster epic cycle set in a pre-Christian heroic age. Thomas Kinsella’s 1968 translation, which is referred to in this guide, is based on two main sources: a 12th-century partial manuscript and a late 14th-century partial manuscript, both compiled by Christian monks in Irish monasteries. The Celtic source material for The Táin is far more ancient and would have... Read The Tain Summary


Publication year 950Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Loneliness, Emotions/Behavior: Memory, Emotions/Behavior: Grief, Values/Ideas: Fate, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Lyric Poem, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Classic Fiction, History: European

Publication year 1995Genre Novel, FictionThemes Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Mythology, Action / Adventure, Military / War, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World

The Winter King is a 1995 novel by Bernard Cornwell. It is the first volume of the Warlord Chronicles series, a reimagining of the legend of King Arthur stripped of magic and romance and instead steeped in the grim realities of Britain after the fall of the Roman Empire. It was followed up by Enemy of God (1996) and Excalibur (1997). By the time Cornwell published The Winter King, he had established his reputation as... Read The Winter King Summary


Publication year 1920Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies, Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Coming of AgeTags Historical Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Scandinavian Literature, History: World, Romance, Classic Fiction

Publication year 1209Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Life/Time: Mortality & Death, Values/Ideas: Truth & LiesTags Narrative / Epic Poem, Classic Fiction, Romance, Mythology, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, German Literature, Fantasy

Publication year 1385Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Identity: Gender, Life/Time: Coming of Age, Relationships: Marriage, Society: Class, Society: War, Values/Ideas: Beauty, Values/Ideas: Literature, Values/Ideas: Religion & SpiritualityTags Classic Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, Narrative / Epic Poem, Romance, Military / War, Education, Education, History: World

Troilus and Criseyde is an epic poem by Geoffrey Chaucer written between 1382 and 1386 in Middle English. The poem is divided into five books and features Chaucer’s innovation, the Rhyme royal stanza form, which is a seven-line stanza in iambic pentameter with an ABABBCC rhyme scheme. The poem is set during the Trojan War and tells the tragic story of Troilus, a prince of Troy who falls in love with a young woman named... Read Troilus and Criseyde Summary


Publication year 1500Genre Poem, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: LoveTags Lyric Poem, Love / Sexuality, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages

Publication year 1994Genre Biography, NonfictionTags Historical Fiction, History: Asian, Education, Education, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, History: World, Chinese Literature, Travel Literature, Action / Adventure

When China Ruled the Seas: The Treasure Fleet of the Dragon Throne, 1405–1433 is a nonfiction book published in 1994 by Louise Levathes. In a narrative that predates the voyages of Christopher Columbus, Levathes examines a three-decade period in the early 15th century when China launched seven major sea voyages. Levathes holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University and worked for ten years as a staff writer for National Geographic. In 1990, she... Read When China Ruled the Seas Summary


Publication year 2007Genre Novel, FictionThemes Values/Ideas: Order & Chaos, Values/Ideas: Power & Greed, Identity: Femininity, Society: Class, Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality, Society: Politics & GovernmentTags Historical Fiction, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, British Literature, History: World, Fantasy, Romance

Publication year 1176Genre Novel/Book in Verse, FictionThemes Emotions/Behavior: Love, Relationships: Friendship, Values/Ideas: Justice & InjusticeTags Classic Fiction, Romance, Mythology, Narrative / Epic Poem, Medieval Literature / Middle Ages, French Literature, Education, Education, History: World, Fantasy

Completed in the year 1181, Yvain, Or the Knight of the Lion is an epic poem by Chrétian De Troyes that tells the story of Yvain, one of King Arthur’s knights, and the many great deeds he performs as he attempts to earn the love of the Lady Laudine. One of the founding stories of the Arthurian legend, Yvain paints a vivid picture of the knightly code of chivalry during the Middle Ages. Its high... Read Yvain, or the Knight With the Lion Summary