OLD ENGLISH LITERATURE (500–1100)

Abstract

Old English literature, spanning from the 5th to the 11th century, represents the earliest phase of English literary tradition. This literature developed through the influence of Germanic tribes—the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes—who brought their language and oral poetic traditions to England. The conversion of Anglo-Saxons to Christianity by St. Augustine in 597 further shaped the literature, combining pagan heroic ideals with Christian themes. Old English literature includes epic poems, elegies, religious writings, and historical chronicles, with notable works such as Beowulf, The Wanderer, and The Seafarer. Oral tradition played a critical role in preserving and transmitting these works. This paper examines the origins, characteristics, major authors, and key texts of Old English literature, emphasizing its historical, cultural, and linguistic significance. It also explores the influence of invasions, monasteries, and Anglo-Saxon society on literary production.