From Old English to Middle English & Epic Literature

20 question-and-answer flashcards covering the history of Old & Middle English, the Norman Conquest, Beowulf, and the key traits of epic poetry.

During which centuries was Old English (Anglo-Saxon) predominantly spoken?

From the 5th to the 11th century.

Which three Germanic tribes are traditionally credited with bringing Old English to Britain?

The Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes.

Name the four principal dialects of Old English.

Kentish, Mercian, Northumbrian, and West Saxon.

What is the earliest recorded epic poem in Old English literature?

Beowulf.

Approximately how many alliterative lines make up Beowulf?

3,182 lines.

Between which years was the sole surviving Beowulf manuscript produced?

Between 975 and 1025 AD.

Which Irish Nobel laureate published a modern translation of Beowulf in 1999?

Seamus Heaney.

Which battle in 1066 marked the beginning of the Middle English period?

The Battle of Hastings.

Who became the first Norman king of England after the Battle of Hastings?

William the Conqueror (William I).

Which Anglo-Saxon king was killed at Hastings, ending Anglo-Saxon rule?

Harold Godwinson (Harold II).

How did Norman-French influence English after 1066?

It became the language of the ruling class, mixing with Old English to form Anglo-Norman French and enriching English vocabulary.

Give one example of a French-derived Middle English word related to food that contrasts with its Anglo-Saxon animal name.

‘Pork’ (French origin) vs. ‘pig’ (Anglo-Saxon).

What is the linguistic origin of the word “English”?

It comes from “Anglish,” meaning the language of the Angles (Englisc → English).

Define an epic poem.

A long narrative poem recounting heroic deeds, often involving myths, legends, or historical events.

List two common elements of epic poetry concerning the hero.

(1) Superhuman strength and valor; (2) A legendary or divinely protected hero.

Which narrative perspective is typical in traditional epics?

Omniscient narration—an objective voice that knows and sees everything.

Describe the typical writing style of an epic.

Formal, elevated, lyrical, and highly poetic language.

Why are most epic poems of unknown authorship?

Because they were passed down orally for generations before being written.

What feature of epic setting differentiates it from shorter narratives?

Multiple settings; heroes often travel to distant lands, seas, the underworld, or the heavens.

In Beowulf, who does the hero first help by defeating the monster Grendel?

King Hrothgar of the Danes.