British Literature

British literature is literature in the English language from the United Kingdom, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands. Anglo-Saxon (Old English) literature is included, and there is some discussion of Latin and Anglo-Norman literature, where literature in these languages relate to the early development of the English language and literature.

There are four main periods in British literature:

1. The Old English period (5th – 11th centuries)
2. The Middle English period (12th – 14th centuries)
3. The Renaissance or Early Modern English period (15th – 16th centuries)
4. The Neoclassical or Modern English period (17th – 18th centuries)

The Old English period is the earliest, and includes works written in Anglo-Saxon, the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest. This period covers a wide range of works, including religious texts, folk tales, and poems.

The Middle English period is marked by the Norman Conquest and the introduction of the French language into England. This period saw the development of a distinctive English literature, with works such as the Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.

The Renaissance or Early Modern English period is characterized by the growth of a literary culture in England. This period saw the development of the sonnet form, and the works of writers such as William Shakespeare and John Donne.

The Neoclassical or Modern English period is marked by the rise of the novel as a literary form. This period saw the works of writers such as Jane Austen and Charles Dickens.