Want to create interactive content? It’s easy in Genially!
Literary History Time Periods
Carrie Shevlin
Created on April 11, 2024
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Practical Timeline
View
Timeline video mobile
View
Timeline Lines Mobile
View
Major Religions Timeline
View
Timeline Flipcard
View
Timeline video
View
History Timeline
Transcript
Literary Time Periods
British
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
? B.C. to-A.D. 428
Celtic & Roman Britain
428 to- 1100
Old English Period
(Anglo-Saxon Period)
1100 to- 1350
Anglo-Norman Period
1350 to- 1500
Middle English Period
1500 to- 1660
The Renaissance
1500 to- 1557
Early Tudor Age
1558 to- 1603
Elizabethan Age
1603 to- 1625
Jacobean Age
1625 to- 1649
Caroline Age
1649 to- 1660
Commonwealth Interregnum
1660 to- 1798
Neoclassical Period
1660 to- 1700
Restoration Age
1700 to- 1750
Augustan Age
1750 to- 1798
Age of Johnson
1798 to- 1870
Romantic Period
1870 to- 1914
Realistic Period
1870 to- 1901
Late Victorian Age
1798 to- 1832
Age of the Romantic Movement
1832 to- 1870
Early Victorian Age
1901 to- 1914
Edwardian Age
1914 to- 1965
Modernist Period
1914 to- 1940
Georgian Age
1939 to- 1945
Second World War
1914 to- 1918
First World War
1940 to- 1965
Diminshing Age
1965 to ?-
Post modernist Period
-? B.C. toA.D. 428
-428 to 1100
-1100 to 1350
-1350 to 1500
-1500 to 1660
-1500 to 1557
-1558 to 1603
-1603 to 1625
-1625 to 1649
-1649 to 1660
-1660 to 1798
-1660 to 1700
-1700 to 1750
-1750 to 1798
-1798 to 1870
-1870 to 1914
-1870 to 1901
-1798 to 1832
-1832 to 1870
-1901 to 1914
-1914 to 1965
-1914 to 1940
-1939 to 1945
-1914 to 1918
-1940 to 1965
-1965 to ?
Pull
Anglo-Norman Period
(Anglo-Saxon Period)
Augustan Age
Caroline Age
Celtic & Roman Britain
Commonwealth Interregnum
Diminshing Age
Early Tudor Age
Early Victorian Age
Edwardian Age
Elizabethan Age
First World War
Georgian Age
Jacobean Age
Age of Johnson
Late Victorian Age
Middle English Period
Modernist Period
Neoclassical Period
Old English Period
Post modernist Period
Realistic Period
The Renaissance
Restoration Age
Romantic Period
Age of the Romantic Movement
Second World War
American
-1607 to 1765
-1765 to 1830
-1765 to-1790
-1790 to 1830
-1830 to 1865
-1865 to 1900
-1900 to 1930
-1930 to 1960
-1960 to
1607 to- 1765
Colonial Period
1765 to- 1830
Revolutionary & Early National Period
1765 to- 1790
Revolutionary Age
1790 to- 1830
Federalist Age
1830 to- 1865
Romantic Period
1865 to- 1900
Realistic Period
1900 to- 1930
Naturalistic & Symbolistic Period
1930 to- 1960
Period of Consolidation & Criticism
1960 to-
Period of Confession & Expansion
Pull
Colonial Period
Federalist Age
Naturalistic & Symbolistic Period
Period of Confession & Expansion
Period of Consolidation & Criticism
Realistic Period
Revolutionary Age
Revolutionary & Early National Period
Romantic Period
Return to Main Timeline
Literary Time Periods
British
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
? B.C. to-A.D. 428
Celtic & Roman Britain
428 to- 1100
Old English Period
(Anglo-Saxon Period)
1100 to- 1350
Anglo-Norman Period
1350 to- 1500
Middle English Period
1500 to- 1660
The Renaissance
1500 to- 1557
Early Tudor Age
1558 to- 1603
Elizabethan Age
1603 to- 1625
Jacobean Age
1625 to- 1649
Caroline Age
1649 to- 1660
Commonwealth Interregnum
1660 to- 1798
Neoclassical Period
1660 to- 1700
Restoration Age
1700 to- 1750
Augustan Age
1750 to- 1798
Age of Johnson
1798 to- 1870
Romantic Period
1870 to- 1914
Realistic Period
1870 to- 1901
Late Victorian Age
1798 to- 1832
Age of the Romantic Movement
1832 to- 1870
Early Victorian Age
1901 to- 1914
Edwardian Age
1914 to- 1965
Modernist Period
1914 to- 1940
Georgian Age
1939 to- 1945
Second World War
1914 to- 1918
First World War
1940 to- 1965
Diminshing Age
1965 to ?-
Post modernist Period
-? B.C. toA.D. 428
-428 to 1100
-1100 to 1350
-1350 to 1500
-1500 to 1660
-1500 to 1557
-1558 to 1603
-1603 to 1625
-1625 to 1649
-1649 to 1660
-1660 to 1798
-1660 to 1700
-1700 to 1750
-1750 to 1798
-1798 to 1870
-1870 to 1914
-1870 to 1901
-1798 to 1832
-1832 to 1870
-1901 to 1914
-1914 to 1965
-1914 to 1940
-1939 to 1945
-1914 to 1918
-1940 to 1965
-1965 to ?
Pull
Anglo-Norman Period
(Anglo-Saxon Period)
Augustan Age
Caroline Age
Celtic & Roman Britain
Commonwealth Interregnum
Diminshing Age
Early Tudor Age
Early Victorian Age
Edwardian Age
Elizabethan Age
First World War
Georgian Age
Jacobean Age
Age of Johnson
Late Victorian Age
Middle English Period
Modernist Period
Neoclassical Period
Old English Period
Post modernist Period
Realistic Period
The Renaissance
Restoration Age
Romantic Period
Age of the Romantic Movement
Second World War
American
-1607 to 1765
-1765 to 1830
-1765 to-1790
-1790 to 1830
-1830 to 1865
-1865 to 1900
-1900 to 1930
-1930 to 1960
-1960 to
1607 to- 1765
Colonial Period
1765 to- 1830
Revolutionary & Early National Period
1765 to- 1790
Revolutionary Age
1790 to- 1830
Federalist Age
1830 to- 1865
Romantic Period
1865 to- 1900
Realistic Period
1900 to- 1930
Naturalistic & Symbolistic Period
1930 to- 1960
Period of Consolidation & Criticism
1960 to-
Period of Confession & Expansion
Pull
Colonial Period
Federalist Age
Naturalistic & Symbolistic Period
Period of Confession & Expansion
Period of Consolidation & Criticism
Realistic Period
Revolutionary Age
Revolutionary & Early National Period
Romantic Period
Return to Main Timeline
Literary History
"CA" means "circa", Latin for "around", "about", or "approximately". "AD" stands for "Anno Domini" which is Latin for "in the year of the Lord". "BC" stands for "Before Christ" and is a way of counting years before the estimated birth of Jesus Christ.
American
British
? B.C.-A.D. 428
Celtic & Roman Britain
55, 54 B.C. Julius Caesar invades Britain
428-1100
Old English Period
(Anglo-Saxon Period)
1100-1350
Anglo-Norman Period
1350-1500
Middle English Period
1500-1660
The Renaissance
Early Tudor Age; 1500-1557
1660-1798
Neoclassical Period
Revolutionary & Early National Period
1765-1830
1798-1870
Romantic Period
1865-1900
Realistic Period
1870-1914
Realistic Period
1900-1930
Naturalistic & Symbolistic Period
1914-1965
Modernist Period
Period of Consolidation & Criticsm
1930-1960
Period of Confession & Expansion
1960-
1965--
Postmodernist Period
Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period
Scroll down for Anglo-Norman Period
Pull
1st biography in Britain
Period of composition of Old English poems reflecting Continental life: Beowulf, Waldhere, Finnsburg, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, etc
428 B.C.
ca. 450 to-ca.700
ca. 597-
St. Augustine est. Roman Christianity in southern England
ca. 670-
Scholar Caedmon, Hymns, etc. 1st English poet known by name
ca. 690-
Scholar Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Latin): 1st biography in Britain
ca. 700-
"School of Caedmon" -Gen. Ex. Dan.--biblical paraphrases
ca. 731-
The Venerable Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" (Latin): 1st history of English people
ca. 750 to- ca. 800
Christian poetry flourishes in Northumbria-Cynewulf and his "school"
ca. 800-
Welshman Nennius "History of the Britons" (Latin): 1st mention of Arthur
1000 to- 1200
Transition of English to Norman French. Decline of A.S., reduced lit. activity in Eng.
ca. 1000-
Beowulf manuscript written
1066-
Battle of Hastings (Senlac) Norman Conquest : William the Conqueror (William I) takes throne of England
1086-
Domesday Book: important English census
1096 to- 1099
The First Crusade
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
428 B.C.
-ca. 450 to ca.700
-ca. 597
-ca. 670
-ca. 690
-ca. 700
-ca. 731
-ca. 750 to ca. 800
-ca. 800
-1000 to 1200
-ca. 1000
-1066
-1086
-1096 to 1099
William the Conqueror (William I) takes throne of England
Domesday Book: important English census
1st mention of Arthur
1st history of English people
Battle of Hastings (Senlac) Norman Conquest
Scholar Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Latin)
Scholar Caedmon, Hymns, etc. 1st English poet known by name
The First Crusade
Beowulf, Waldhere, Finnsburg, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, etc
Period of composition of Old English poems reflecting Continental life
"School of Caedmon" -Gen. Ex. Dan.--biblical paraphrases
Christian poetry flourishes in Northumbrial"
Transition of English to Norman French. Decline of A.S.
Welshman Nennius "History of the Britons" (Latin)
Beowulf manuscript written
The Venerable Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" (Latin)
This paragraph is ready to hold stunning creativity, experiences and stories.
St. Augustine est. Roman Christianity in southern England
reduced lit. activity in Eng.
Cynewulf and his "school"
Anglo-Norman Period
Pull
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
-1100 to 1350
-ca. 1124
-ca. 1124
-1189 to 1199
-1215
-1264
-1300 to 1400
-1311
-1337 to 1453
-1348 to 1350
1100 to- 1350
Eadmer, Life of Anselm: human element in biography
ca. 1124-
ca. 1124-
Geoffrey of Manmouth, "History of the Kings of Britain" (Latin chronicle): 1st elaborate account of Arthurian court
1189 to- 1199
Reign of Richard I (Richard the Lion-Hearted)
1215-
Magna Carta
1300 to- 1400
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
1311-
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings. Cyclic plays @ Feast of Corpus Christi summer festival made popular due to movable stages or "pageants".
1264-
Feast of Corpus Christi est.
1337 to- 1453
The Hundred Years' War
1348 to- 1350
The Black Death in England
Cyclic plays @ Feast of Corpus Christi summer festival made popular due to movable stages
human element in biography
Geoffrey of Manmouth, "History of the Kings of Britain" (Latin chronicle)
The Black Death in England
Eadmer, Life of Anselm:
Feast of Corpus Christi est.
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
"pageants".
Reign of Richard I (Richard the Lion-Hearted)
Magna Carta
1st elaborate account of Arthurian court
The Hundred Years' War
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
Proceed to Sorting
Return to Main Timeline
Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period
Scroll down for Anglo-Norman Period
Pull
1st biography in Britain
ca. 428
ca. 450 to-ca.700
ca. 597-
ca. 670-
ca. 690-
ca. 700-
ca. 731-
ca. 750 to- ca. 800
ca. 800-
1000 to- 1200
ca. 1000-
1066-
1086-
1096 to- 1099
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
c.a. 428
William the Conqueror (William I) takes throne of England
-ca. 450 to ca.700
-ca. 597
-ca. 670
-ca. 690
-ca. 700
-ca. 731
-ca. 750 to ca. 800
-ca. 800
-1000 to 1200
-ca. 1000
-1066
-1086
-1096 to 1099
Period of composition of Old English poems reflecting Continental life: Beowulf, Waldhere, Finnsburg, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, etc
Domesday Book: important English census
1st mention of Arthur
St. Augustine est. Roman Christianity in southern England
1st history of English people
Battle of Hastings (Senlac) Norman Conquest
Scholar Caedmon, Hymns, etc. 1st English poet known by name
Scholar Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Latin)
Scholar Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Latin): 1st biography in Britain
Scholar Caedmon, Hymns, etc. 1st English poet known by name
"School of Caedmon" -Gen. Ex. Dan.--biblical paraphrases
The First Crusade
The Venerable Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" (Latin): 1st history of English people
Beowulf, Waldhere, Finnsburg, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, etc
Christian poetry flourishes in Northumbria-Cynewulf and his "school"
Period of composition of Old English poems reflecting Continental life
Welshman Nennius "History of the Britons" (Latin): 1st mention of Arthur
"School of Caedmon" -Gen. Ex. Dan.--biblical paraphrases
Transition of English to Norman French. Decline of A.S., reduced lit. activity in Eng.
Christian poetry flourishes in Northumbrial"
Transition of English to Norman French. Decline of A.S.
Beowulf manuscript written
Battle of Hastings (Senlac) Norman Conquest : William the Conqueror (William I) takes throne of England
Welshman Nennius "History of the Britons" (Latin)
Beowulf manuscript written
The Venerable Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" (Latin)
Domesday Book: important English census
St. Augustine est. Roman Christianity in southern England
The First Crusade
reduced lit. activity in Eng.
Cynewulf and his "school"
Anglo-Norman Period
Pull
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
-1100 to 1350
-ca. 1124
-ca. 1124
-1189 to 1199
-1215
-1264
-1300 to 1400
-1311
-1337 to 1453
-1348 to 1350
1100 to- 1350
Eadmer, Life of Anselm: human element in biography
ca. 1124-
ca. 1124-
Geoffrey of Manmouth, "History of the Kings of Britain" (Latin chronicle): 1st elaborate account of Arthurian court
1189 to- 1199
Reign of Richard I (Richard the Lion-Hearted)
1215-
Magna Carta
1300 to- 1400
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
1311-
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings. Cyclic plays @ Feast of Corpus Christi summer festival made popular due to movable stages or "pageants".
1264-
Feast of Corpus Christi est.
1337 to- 1453
The Hundred Years' War
1348 to- 1350
The Black Death in England
Cyclic plays @ Feast of Corpus Christi summer festival made popular due to movable stages
human element in biography
Geoffrey of Manmouth, "History of the Kings of Britain" (Latin chronicle)
The Black Death in England
Eadmer, Life of Anselm:
Feast of Corpus Christi est.
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
"pageants".
Reign of Richard I (Richard the Lion-Hearted)
Magna Carta
1st elaborate account of Arthurian court
The Hundred Years' War
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
Proceed to Sorting
Return to Main Timeline
Anglo-Norman Period
First, decide what order the "Anglo-Norman Period" & "Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period" headers go in. Then, drag and drop each characteristic to it's correct time period.
Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period
428-1100
Cyclic plays @ Feast of Corpus Christi summer festival made popular due to movable stages
1st history of English people
1st biography in Britain
Cynewulf and his "school"
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
Reign of Richard I (Richard the Lion-Hearted)
1st biography in Britain
The Venerable Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" (Latin)
human element in biography
Christian poetry flourishes in Northumbria
Transition of English to Norman French.
Eadmer, Life of Anselm: human element in biography
"pageants".
Magna Carta
"School of Caedmon" -Gen. Ex. Dan.--biblical paraphrases
important English census
Domesday Book
The First Crusade
Period of composition of Old English poems reflecting Continental life
St. Augustine est. Roman Christianity in southern England
The Black Death in England
The Hundred Years' War
1100-1350
William the Conqueror (William I) takes throne of England
Decline of A.S., reduced lit. activity in Eng.
1st mention of Arthur
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
Scholar Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Latin):
Battle of Hastings (Senlac) Norman Conquest
Beowulf manuscript written
Feast of Corpus Christi est.
Beowulf, Waldhere, Finnsburg, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, etc
Welshman Nennius "History of the Britons" (Latin)
Scholar Caedmon, Hymns, etc.
Geoffrey of Manmouth, "History of the Kings of Britain" (Latin chronicle)
1st elaborate account of Arthurian court
Return to Main Timeline
Anglo-Norman Period
First, decide what order the "Anglo-Norman Period" & "Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period" headers go in. Then, drag and drop each characteristic to it's correct time period.
Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period
Cyclic plays @ Feast of Corpus Christi summer festival made popular due to movable stages
1st history of English people
1st biography in Britain
Cynewulf and his "school"
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
Reign of Richard I (Richard the Lion-Hearted)
1st biography in Britain
The Venerable Bede, "Ecclesiastical History" (Latin)
human element in biography
Christian poetry flourishes in Northumbria
Transition of English to Norman French.
Eadmer, Life of Anselm: human element in biography
"pageants".
Magna Carta
"School of Caedmon" -Gen. Ex. Dan.--biblical paraphrases
important English census
Domesday Book
The First Crusade
Period of composition of Old English poems reflecting Continental life
St. Augustine est. Roman Christianity in southern England
The Black Death in England
The Hundred Years' War
William the Conqueror (William I) takes throne of England
Decline of A.S., reduced lit. activity in Eng.
1st mention of Arthur
Eng. displaces French in speech of upper classes, schools, and law proceedings.
Scholar Adamnan, Life of St. Columba (Latin):
Battle of Hastings (Senlac) Norman Conquest
Beowulf manuscript written
Feast of Corpus Christi est.
Beowulf, Waldhere, Finnsburg, The Wanderer, The Seafarer, etc
Welshman Nennius "History of the Britons" (Latin)
Scholar Caedmon, Hymns, etc.
Geoffrey of Manmouth, "History of the Kings of Britain" (Latin chronicle)
1st elaborate account of Arthurian court
Return to Main Timeline
Middle English Period
Scroll down for The Renaissance
Pull
-1350 to 1500
-ca. 1350 to ca.1400
-ca. 1370 to 1387
-ca. 1380
-ca. 1385
-ca. 1388
-ca. 1400 to 1425-
-ca. 1405
-ca. 1415
-1422 to 1509
-ca. 1425
-1440
-1450
-1450 to 1525
-1455 to 1485
-1474
-1477
-1485
-1490 to 1520
-1491
1350 to-1500
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
ca. 1350 to- ca.1400
Morte Arthure, Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, and other romances
Castle of Perseverance; first complete morality play
Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, Trolius & Criseyde, Legend of Good Women, Prologue to Canterbury Tales
ca. 1370 to- 1387
Caxton's press set up @ Westminster; 1st printing press in England. Dictes & Sayings of the Philosophers, 1st dated book printed in England
Wycliffe translation of Bible into English
ca. 1380-
Caxton prints the Recuyell of the Histories of Troy: 1st book printed in English
ca. 1385-
English replaces French as language in school
Usk (?) The Testament of Love
Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte Darthur
ca. 1388-
Wakefield cycle of plays; Pride of Life-earliest extat morality play
ca. 1400-1425-
Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, Trolius & Criseyde, Legend of Good Women, Prologue to Canterbury Tales
Castle of Perseverance; first complete morality play
ca. 1405-
English replaces French as language in school
ca. 1415-
Lydgate, Troy Book
Galfridus Grammaticus English-Latin word list, beginning of English lexicolography
1422 to- 1509
The Paston Letters; family correspondence reflecting social conditions
Greek taught at Oxford
Humanists active under patronage of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
ca. 1425-
Humanists active under patronage of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Galfridus Grammaticus English-Latin word list, beginning of English lexicolography
1440-
Lydgate, Troy Book
Morte Arthure, Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, and other romances
"Tiptoft" School of humanists active
1450-
"Oxford Reformers" (Linacre, Grocyn, Colet, Erasmus, More) active
1450 to- 1525
Scottish poets of Chaucerian school: Henryson, Dunbar, Doublas, and probably James I of Scotland
The Paston Letters; family correspondence reflecting social conditions
1455 to- 1485
Scottish poets of Chaucerian school: Henryson, Dunbar, Doublas, and probably James I of Scotland
Wars of the Roses; depressing effect on literary activity
1474-
Caxton prints the Recuyell of the Histories of Troy: 1st book printed in English
"Tiptoft" School of humanists active
1477-
Caxton's press set up @ Westminster; 1st printing press in England. Dictes & Sayings of the Philosophers, 1st dated book printed in England
Usk (?) The Testament of Love
Wakefield cycle of plays; Pride of Life-earliest extat morality play
Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte Darthur
1485-
Wars of the Roses; depressing effect on literary activity
1490 to- 1520
"Oxford Reformers" (Linacre, Grocyn, Colet, Erasmus, More) active
Wycliffe translation of Bible into English
Greek taught at Oxford
1491-
The Renaissance Period
1500-1557 Early Tudor Age
Pull
1500 to 1600
-1500
-1500 to 1550
-1508 to 1520
-1508 to 1520
-1520 to 1530
-1525
-1530
-1535
- 1538
-1539
-1549 to 1552
-1552
-1553
-1555
-1557
1500 to 1600
Book of Common Prayer
1500-
Everyman
Coverdale's 1st Complete English Bible
1500 to- 1550
Romances: Valentine & Orson, Lord Berners's Arthur of Little Britain, Huon of Bordeaux, etc.
English Bible (the"Great Bible") published
Skelton, Philip Sparrow, Magnificence, poetical satires (Colin Clout, Why Come Ye Not to Court, etc.)
1508 to- 1520
Everyman
Latin plays acted in grammar schools
Rastell, The Four Elements; advocates adequacy of English for literary purposes
1508 to- 1520
The "New Poetry" movement under way
Latin plays acted in grammar schools
1520 to- 1530
Rastell, The Four Elements; advocates adequacy of English for literary purposes
Tyndale, New Testament: printed at town of Worms; 1st printed English translation of any part of Bible
1525-
Romances: Valentine & Orson, Lord Berners's Arthur of Little Britain, Huon of Bordeaux, etc.
The "New Poetry" movement under way
1530-
Roper, Life of Sir Thomas More; Cavendish, Life of Cardinal Wolsey
Coverdale's 1st Complete English Bible
1535-
1538-
Sir Thomas Elyot, Dictionarie
Sir Thomas Elyot, Dictionarie
1539-
English Bible (the"Great Bible") published
Skelton, Philip Sparrow, Magnificence, poetical satires (Colin Clout, Why Come Ye Not to Court, etc.)
1549 to- 1552
Book of Common Prayer
Stationer's Company incorporated
Udall, Ralph Roister Doister: first "regular" English comedy
1552-
"Tottel's Miscellany" containing Surrey's translation of two books of the Aeneid in blank verse
1553-
Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique
1555-
Roper, Life of Sir Thomas More; Cavendish, Life of Cardinal Wolsey
Tyndale, New Testament: printed at town of Worms; 1st printed English translation of any part of Bible
"Tottel's Miscellany" containing Surrey's translation of two books of the Aeneid in blank verse
1557-
Udall, Ralph Roister Doister: first "regular" English comedy
Stationer's Company incorporated
Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique
Return to Main Timeline
Middle English Period
Scroll down for The Renaissance
-1350 to 1500
-ca. 1350 to ca.1400
-ca. 1370 to 1387
-ca. 1380
-ca. 1385
-ca. 1388
-ca. 1400 to 1425-
-ca. 1405
-ca. 1415
-1422 to 1509
-ca. 1425
-1440
-1450
-1450 to 1525
-1455 to 1485
-1474
-1477
-1485
-1490 to 1520
-1491
Morte Arthure, Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, and other romances
Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, Trolius & Criseyde, Legend of Good Women, Prologue to Canterbury Tales
Wycliffe translation of Bible into English
English replaces French as language in school
Usk (?) The Testament of Love
Wakefield cycle of plays; Pride of Life-earliest extat morality play
Castle of Perseverance; first complete morality play
Lydgate, Troy Book
The Paston Letters; family correspondence reflecting social conditions
Humanists active under patronage of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Galfridus Grammaticus English-Latin word list, beginning of English lexicolography
"Tiptoft" School of humanists active
Scottish poets of Chaucerian school: Henryson, Dunbar, Doublas, and probably James I of Scotland
Wars of the Roses; depressing effect on literary activity
Caxton prints the Recuyell of the Histories of Troy: 1st book printed in English
Caxton's press set up @ Westminster; 1st printing press in England. Dictes & Sayings of the Philosophers, 1st dated book printed in England
Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte Darthur
"Oxford Reformers" (Linacre, Grocyn, Colet, Erasmus, More) active
Greek taught at Oxford
1350 to-1500
ca. 1350 to- ca.1400
ca. 1370 to- 1387
ca. 1380-
ca. 1385-
ca. 1388-
ca. 1400-1425-
ca. 1405-
ca. 1415-
1422 to- 1509
ca. 1425-
1440-
1450-
1450 to- 1525
1455 to- 1485
1474-
1477-
1485-
1490 to- 1520
1491-
Arrange the timeline in order on the right as you read the timeline on the left.
Pull
Castle of Perseverance; first complete morality play
Caxton's press set up @ Westminster; 1st printing press in England. Dictes & Sayings of the Philosophers, 1st dated book printed in England
Caxton prints the Recuyell of the Histories of Troy: 1st book printed in English
Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte Darthur
Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, Trolius & Criseyde, Legend of Good Women, Prologue to Canterbury Tales
English replaces French as language in school
Galfridus Grammaticus English-Latin word list, beginning of English lexicolography
Greek taught at Oxford
Humanists active under patronage of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester
Lydgate, Troy Book
Morte Arthure, Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight, and other romances
"Oxford Reformers" (Linacre, Grocyn, Colet, Erasmus, More) active
The Paston Letters; family correspondence reflecting social conditions
Scottish poets of Chaucerian school: Henryson, Dunbar, Doublas, and probably James I of Scotland
"Tiptoft" School of humanists active
Usk (?) The Testament of Love
Wakefield cycle of plays; Pride of Life-earliest extat morality play
Wars of the Roses; depressing effect on literary activity
Wycliffe translation of Bible into English
The Renaissance Period
1500-1557 Early Tudor Age
Everyman
Romances: Valentine & Orson, Lord Berners's Arthur of Little Britain, Huon of Bordeaux, etc.
Skelton, Philip Sparrow, Magnificence, poetical satires (Colin Clout, Why Come Ye Not to Court, etc.)
Rastell, The Four Elements; advocates adequacy of English for literary purposes
Latin plays acted in grammar schools
Tyndale, New Testament: printed at town of Worms; 1st printed English translation of any part of Bible
The "New Poetry" movement under way
Coverdale's 1st Complete English Bible
Sir Thomas Elyot, Dictionarie
English Bible (the"Great Bible") published
Book of Common Prayer
Udall, Ralph Roister Doister: first "regular" English comedy
Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique
Roper, Life of Sir Thomas More; Cavendish, Life of Cardinal Wolsey
"Tottel's Miscellany" containing Surrey's translation of two books of the Aeneid in blank verse
Stationer's Company incorporated
1500 to 1600
1500-
1500 to- 1550
1508 to- 1520
1508 to- 1520
1520 to- 1530
1525-
1530-
1535-
1538-
1539-
1549 to- 1552
1552-
1553-
1555-
1557-
1500 to 1600
-1500
-1500 to 1550
-1508 to 1520
-1508 to 1520
-1520 to 1530
-1525
-1530
-1535
- 1538
-1539
-1549 to 1552
-1552
-1553
-1555
-1557
Book of Common Prayer
Pull
Coverdale's 1st Complete English Bible
English Bible (the"Great Bible") published
Everyman
Latin plays acted in grammar schools
The "New Poetry" movement under way
Rastell, The Four Elements; advocates adequacy of English for literary purposes
Romances: Valentine & Orson, Lord Berners's Arthur of Little Britain, Huon of Bordeaux, etc.
Roper, Life of Sir Thomas More; Cavendish, Life of Cardinal Wolsey
Sir Thomas Elyot, Dictionarie
Skelton, Philip Sparrow, Magnificence, poetical satires (Colin Clout, Why Come Ye Not to Court, etc.)
Stationer's Company incorporated
"Tottel's Miscellany" containing Surrey's translation of two books of the Aeneid in blank verse
Tyndale, New Testament: printed at town of Worms; 1st printed English translation of any part of Bible
Udall, Ralph Roister Doister: first "regular" English comedy
Wilson, Arte of Rhetorique
Return to Main Timeline
The Renaissance Period Cont'd
1558-1603 Elizabethan Age
1558 to-1603
John Knox, First Blast of the Trumpet against the Monstrous Regiment of Women
ca. 1558-
Numerous translations; classics into English through French versions. High interest in lyrics
1558 to- 1575
Elizabethan prayer book
1559-
Sackville & Norton Gorboduc: 1st English tragedy
1562-
Foxe, Book of Martyrs (Latin original, 1559)
1563-
Golding's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses
1565 to-1567
Gascoigne, The Posies: poems with first English treatise on versification
1575-
1576-
The Theatre (1st London playhouse built)
1579-
Gosson, School of Abuse; attack on poetry and the stage
Elizabethan "novels" popular: Lyly, Greene, Lodge, Sidney, Nash, Deloney; Pastoral poetry popular
1580 to-1600
Galfridus Grammaticus English-Latin word list, beginning of English lexicolography
1440-
"Tiptoft" School of humanists active
1450-
1450 to- 1525
Scottish poets of Chaucerian school: Henryson, Dunbar, Doublas, and probably James I of Scotland
Authors of Elizabethan Age: John Knox George Chapman Hoby Foxe Michael Drayton Christopher Marlowe William Shakespeare Francis Bacon Ben Jonson Spenser Holinshed Greene Nash John Donne Ralegh
1455 to- 1485
Wars of the Roses; depressing effect on literary activity
1474-
Caxton prints the Recuyell of the Histories of Troy: 1st book printed in English
1477-
Caxton's press set up @ Westminster; 1st printing press in England. Dictes & Sayings of the Philosophers, 1st dated book printed in England
Caxton publishes Malory's Le Morte Darthur
1485-
1490 to- 1520
"Oxford Reformers" (Linacre, Grocyn, Colet, Erasmus, More) active
Greek taught at Oxford
1491-
1603-1625 Jacobean Age
1625-1649 Caroline Age
1649-1660 Commonwealth Interregnum
Return to Main Timeline