British Literature Midterm Study Guide Flashcards

A comprehensive vocabulary review of key literary, historical, and cultural terms from Old English through early modern British literature.

Lament

An expression of grief or sorrow.

Elegy

A poem reflecting on death, loss, or mourning.

Ring-giver

A king or lord who rewards loyal warriors with gifts.

Three Estates

The three traditional social classes of medieval society: nobility (who fight), clergy (who pray), and peasantry (who work).

Courtly Love

Idealized love in which a knight serves a lady with devotion and loyalty, with the lady holding control over the relationship.

Primogeniture

The tradition of the firstborn child, usually the firstborn son, inheriting family property.

Chivalry

The expected code of conduct for knights, including courage, honor, courtesy, and loyalty.

Estates Satire

Satire that criticizes people for failing to fulfill the expectations of their social class.

Barbarian

A term historically used to describe someone considered uncivilized or foreign.

Chain Mail

Armor made of linked metal rings.

Thane

A warrior or nobleman who serves a king or lord.

Anti-feminism

Opposition to women’s equality or rights.

Wergild

A payment made to a victim’s family to compensate for a killing or injury.

Feminism

The belief in equal rights and opportunities for women.

Warband

A group of warriors who fight together under a leader.

Indulgences

Church grants associated with reducing punishment for sins, often distributed or sold in exchange for donations.

Comitatus

The relationship of loyalty and mutual responsibility between a lord and his warriors.

Pardons

Forgiveness or release from punishment; in Chaucer’s context, connected to the Pardoner’s religious sales.

Pagan

A person or belief associated with non-Christian religions.

Black Plague

A devastating epidemic that killed a large portion of Europe’s population during the 14th century.

Kenning

A metaphorical compound expression used instead of a simple noun, such as 'wave-tumult' for the sea.

Barbaric Yawp

A loud, powerful cry associated with untamed or uncontrolled expression.

Alliterative Verse

Poetry that repeats initial consonant sounds in stressed words.

Quitting

In Chaucer's lecture, responding or paying back through a story to challenge or criticize another; not simply stopping.

Hero’s Journey

A story pattern in which a hero leaves home, faces challenges, changes through experiences, and returns transformed.

Vernacular

The everyday language spoken by ordinary people rather than a formal language such as Latin.

Tudor Dynasty

The English royal dynasty that began in 1485 after Henry Tudor defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth.

Old English

The earliest historical stage of the English language, spanning approximately c. 500–1150 and connected to Beowulf and Caedmon.

Middle English

The stage of the English language spanning 1150–1500, associated with Geoffrey Chaucer and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

Modern English

The stage of the English language dating from approximately c. 1500 onward, connected to William Shakespeare.

Rood

A cross or crucifix, central to the Old English dream vision poem 'The Dream of the Rood.'

Lai

An oral verse narrative intended to be performed, often accompanied by music, such as Marie de France's Lanval.

Horatian Satire

Gentle humor that makes fun of people and society without being extremely harsh.

Juvenalian Satire

Aggressive, bitter, and sharply critical satire used to condemn social vices.

Maistrie

Mastery or sovereignty in marriage and relationships, argued by the Wife of Bath as what women desire most.

The Exeter Book

The largest surviving collection of Old English poetry, copied by a single scribe around 950 and donated to Exeter Cathedral by Bishop Leofric.

Golden Speech

An address delivered by Elizabeth I on November 30, 1601 to Parliament, emphasizing her love and respect for her people over material riches.