Characteristics of the Age of Chaucer....
Introduction
The period from 1340 to 1400 in English literature is known as the Age of Chaucer. To understand Chaucer’s works well, we should keep in mind the major events of this age. The important events of this period are stated below:
England’s war against France
The war between England and France began in 1338. During this war, Edward III established English supremacy by the naval victory in 1340. This event brought great credit to the English army. They also conquered Calais in 1347. During the rule of Edward III, many policies were framed.
Expansion of Foreign Trade
After the invasion of Calais in 1347, the king made it a center for foreign sales. This gave rise to the growth of the industries of seafaring.
The Black Death
The most epochs making event in the history of England was The Black Death. A disease which swept over Europe and reached England in 1349, many villages were completely wiped out in the plague. Hundreds of people died everyday and the graveyards were fully filled up. Death and Destruction had clamped every village, town and city. It is said that about half of the population of England was devoured by The Black Death. It took two hundred years to repair the loss of population of England.
Statute of Laborers
The spread of plague left many side issues. Many laborers, who could escape the plague, left England. Because of the scarcity of the laborers, the wages were raised. The crops in the farms began to wither without harvesting. The prices increased four times more. In order to meet with the requirement of laborers, the parliament passed a statute in 1351, compelling the workmen to accept their works. But it was practically impossible to put such statute in effect. Many laws were enforced with severity, but this could not bring the wages down. Even the peasants were groaning under heavy taxes, while the rich landlords were rolling in wealth and luxury.
The Peasant’s Revolt
The growing discontentment of the peasants resulted in a revolt during the reign of Richard II. Its immediate cause was the poll tax. Gradually the fire of discontent burst into a flame in the peasant’s revolt led by the Kentish priest – John Ball. His famous slogan was-
When Adam delved and Eve spans,
Who was then the gentleman?
Thus, he spread a new consciousness of social equality among the English peasants. Many peasants from innumerable villages armed with weapons marched towards London to get their grievances redressed.
Growth of Parliament
The peasant’s revolt strengthened unity among the working class. For the first time, they felt that they too were an important part of the social organism. They became conscious of their strength. Their voices become louder. The king had to consult the parliament before applying any new tax. The members of the parliament could exert their influence on king’s foreign policies. The parliament became so powerful that it was able to dispose Richard II.
Weakening of Papal Authority
Now England showed her allegiance to the Pope who lived in Rome. Now the Pope comes under the influence of the French king who was England’s enemy. Therefore, it was natural for England to break her relation with the Pope. R. K. Root said that –
When the holy father himself become a creature of the French king, loyalty to the Pope come into conflict with hatred of France, and the new sentiment of national patriotism proved stronger.
Thus, Pope arose two rivals, one at Avignon in France and the other in Rome. This was a crushing below to the Papal Authority.
Wycliffe’s Attack on the Corruption of the Church
With the weakening of the Papal authority, the discipline of the Church becomes loose. The Papal court itself had become a center of luxury. The corruption of the head spread through the whole body. The Church becomes wealthy. Many unwealthy persons desired to become wealthy. The friars were leading a life luxury. They were more interested in wordy interests than in the performances of the religious duty. John Wycliffe, Gower and Langland attacked the Church for its corruption.
The Rise of the English Language
The later half of the 14th century saw the rise of the English language. Before Chaucer, French dominated the literary scene along with the social and political life of the Noble class. Chaucer was the first to try his pen in English. Thus Chaucer regarded as-
Father of verse! Who in immortal song,
First, taught the muse to speak the English tongue.
Similarly, Wycliffe also wrote in English prose. If we regarded Chaucer as the father of English Verse, likewise John Wycliffe is the father of English Prose!
The Travel of Sir. John Mandeville
A translation from French by Wycliffe has been highly praised by the critics. Saints Bury highly appreciated his works and said-
T o see the marvels of the rising to literary prose style in English, there is no better way than to read Mandeville .
Among the poets, next to Chaucer are –
The period from 1340 to 1400 in English literature is known as the Age of Chaucer. To understand Chaucer’s works well, we should keep in mind the major events of this age. The important events of this period are stated below:
England’s war against France
The war between England and France began in 1338. During this war, Edward III established English supremacy by the naval victory in 1340. This event brought great credit to the English army. They also conquered Calais in 1347. During the rule of Edward III, many policies were framed.
Expansion of Foreign Trade
After the invasion of Calais in 1347, the king made it a center for foreign sales. This gave rise to the growth of the industries of seafaring.
The Black Death
The most epochs making event in the history of England was The Black Death. A disease which swept over Europe and reached England in 1349, many villages were completely wiped out in the plague. Hundreds of people died everyday and the graveyards were fully filled up. Death and Destruction had clamped every village, town and city. It is said that about half of the population of England was devoured by The Black Death. It took two hundred years to repair the loss of population of England.
Statute of Laborers
The spread of plague left many side issues. Many laborers, who could escape the plague, left England. Because of the scarcity of the laborers, the wages were raised. The crops in the farms began to wither without harvesting. The prices increased four times more. In order to meet with the requirement of laborers, the parliament passed a statute in 1351, compelling the workmen to accept their works. But it was practically impossible to put such statute in effect. Many laws were enforced with severity, but this could not bring the wages down. Even the peasants were groaning under heavy taxes, while the rich landlords were rolling in wealth and luxury.
The Peasant’s Revolt
The growing discontentment of the peasants resulted in a revolt during the reign of Richard II. Its immediate cause was the poll tax. Gradually the fire of discontent burst into a flame in the peasant’s revolt led by the Kentish priest – John Ball. His famous slogan was-
When Adam delved and Eve spans,
Who was then the gentleman?
Thus, he spread a new consciousness of social equality among the English peasants. Many peasants from innumerable villages armed with weapons marched towards London to get their grievances redressed.
Growth of Parliament
The peasant’s revolt strengthened unity among the working class. For the first time, they felt that they too were an important part of the social organism. They became conscious of their strength. Their voices become louder. The king had to consult the parliament before applying any new tax. The members of the parliament could exert their influence on king’s foreign policies. The parliament became so powerful that it was able to dispose Richard II.
Weakening of Papal Authority
Now England showed her allegiance to the Pope who lived in Rome. Now the Pope comes under the influence of the French king who was England’s enemy. Therefore, it was natural for England to break her relation with the Pope. R. K. Root said that –
When the holy father himself become a creature of the French king, loyalty to the Pope come into conflict with hatred of France, and the new sentiment of national patriotism proved stronger.
Thus, Pope arose two rivals, one at Avignon in France and the other in Rome. This was a crushing below to the Papal Authority.
Wycliffe’s Attack on the Corruption of the Church
With the weakening of the Papal authority, the discipline of the Church becomes loose. The Papal court itself had become a center of luxury. The corruption of the head spread through the whole body. The Church becomes wealthy. Many unwealthy persons desired to become wealthy. The friars were leading a life luxury. They were more interested in wordy interests than in the performances of the religious duty. John Wycliffe, Gower and Langland attacked the Church for its corruption.
The Rise of the English Language
The later half of the 14th century saw the rise of the English language. Before Chaucer, French dominated the literary scene along with the social and political life of the Noble class. Chaucer was the first to try his pen in English. Thus Chaucer regarded as-
Father of verse! Who in immortal song,
First, taught the muse to speak the English tongue.
Similarly, Wycliffe also wrote in English prose. If we regarded Chaucer as the father of English Verse, likewise John Wycliffe is the father of English Prose!
The Travel of Sir. John Mandeville
A translation from French by Wycliffe has been highly praised by the critics. Saints Bury highly appreciated his works and said-
T o see the marvels of the rising to literary prose style in English, there is no better way than to read Mandeville .
Among the poets, next to Chaucer are –
- John Gower who wrote -- Confessio Amantis.
- Langland who wrote -- Piers the Plowman.