Chronological overview of English Literature

Old English (Anglo-Saxon) Period (450–1066)

450

During this time, oral literature predominated. On the other hand, prose was made from subjects such as religion, medicine or nature. However, it was also characterized by epical, heroic stories of violence and feudal loyalty. The most representative poets of this era were Caedmon, and Cynewulf; and the most outstanding work was "Beowulf" (1019).

Middle English Period (1066–1500)

1066

As in the previous period, religious writings were notable. However, since 1350 secular literature was becoming more important. This period is characterized by the transition in the language, culture and lifestyle of England, resulting in a modern or recognizable form of English. On the other hand, the most recognized authors of this time were Thomas Malory, and Robert Henryson. Also, some of the most important works were "Sir Gawain and the green knight" and "Piers Plowman".

The Renaissance (1500–1660)

1500

This period is subdivided into 4 ages: • Elizabethan Age (1558–1603)
• Jacobean Age (1603–1625)
• Caroline Age (1625–1649)
• Commonwealth Period (1649–1660)

Elizabethan Age (1558–1603)

1558

Its name is due to the reign of Elizabeth I. This period is the Golden age of English drama. Also, the Lyric poetry predominated. On the other hand, some of the most recognized figures are Sir Walter Raleigh, Christopher Marlowe, Francis Bacon, Edmund Spenser, and William Shakespeare.

Jacobean Age (1603–1625)

1603

Named for the reign of James I. The literature became sophisticated, somber and conscious of social abuse and rivalry. Also, Writings with rich prose and drama were also highlighted. In this time, the version of the Bible by King James appears. Likewise, some of the most outstanding works were those of the authors John Donne, Shakespeare, Michael Drayton, John Webster, Elizabeth Cary, Ben Jonson, and Lady Mary Wroth.

Caroline Age (1625–1649)

1625

This time covers the reign of Charles I. The writings were characterized by being written with refinement and elegance. On the other hand, some of the most important figures are: John Milton, Robert Burton, and George Herbert.

Commonwealth Period (1649–1660)

1649

Named for the period between the end of the English Civil War and the restoration of the Stuart monarchy, and introduces us to the literature of the period of Puritan Leader Oliver Cornwell. The writings at this time were characterized as collections of political writings and prose. Some of the most outstanding writers were John Milton and Thomas Hobbes, who wrote on political issues; and Thomas Fuller, Abraham Cowley, and Andrew Marvell, who made prose writings.

The Neoclassical Period (1660–1785)

1660

This period is subdivided into 3 ages:
• The Restoration (1660–1700)
• The Augustan Age (1700–1745)
• The Age of Sensibility (1745–1785)

The Restoration (1660–1700)

1660

It is characterized by the restoration of the monarchy, and the triumph of reason and tolerance over the religious and political passion. On the other hand, the prose and poetry of this period is distinguished by the comedy of restoration. Some of the most notable authors were William Congreve, John Dryden, Aphra Behn, John Bunyan, and John Locke.

The Augustan Age (1700–1745)

1700

This era refers to the literary period of Vergil and Ovid under the Roman Emperor Augustus. Literature was characterized by refinement, clarity, elegance and balance of judgment. At this time, the first English novel and character novel was launched. On the other hand, Some of the most popular authors were Lady Mary Wortley Montagu and Daniel Defoe.

The Age of Sensibility (1745–1785)

1745

It was also known as the Age of Johnson due to the author Samuel Johnson and his literary. In this period, interest in medieval ballads, folk literature and popular literature is aroused. And, a great emphasis is placed on instinct and feeling rather than judgement and restraint. Some of the most relevant figures were Henry Fielding, Samuel Richardson, Tobias Smollett, and Laurence Sterne, William Cowper and Thomas Percy.

The Romantic Period (1785–1832)

1785

This period is characterized by the industrial revolution and the evolution of the visual arts, music and education. Likewise, the literature of this time is characterized by its personal character, its strong use of feeling, its abundant use of symbolism, and the exploration of nature and the supernatural. On the other hand, Gothic literature was created in this time. Some of the most important authors were Wordsworth, John Keats, Thomas De Quincey, Jane Austen, and Mary Shelley.

The Victorian Period (1832–1901)

1832

In this time, the literature addresses everyday social problems such as social, economy, religion, intellectual, Industrial Revolution, growing class tensions, the early feminsit movement, etc. This period is subdivided into 3 ages: • "Early" (1832 -1848)
• "Mid" (1848 - 1870)
• "Late" (1870 - 1901) Also, is divided into two phases: Pre-Raphaelites (1848–1860) and that of Aestheticism, and Decadence (1880–1901).

"Early" (1832 -1848)

1832

As more and more people became literate and the middle class grew, the novel’s popularity also expanded. On the other hand, some of the most relevant authors were Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Gaskell.

"Mid" (1848 - 1870)

1848

Realism emerged in the novels, which emphasized the description of the material, and physical details of life, since opposed to the natural world.

Pre-Raphaelites (1848–1860)

1848

In this time, a Brotherhood of a group of English artists was created. "Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood". They had the goal of recreate painting with a style of truthfulness, simplicity and religious devotion.

"Late" (1870 - 1901)

1870

Some of the most prominent authors were Anthony Trollope, Thomas Hardy, and William Makepeace Thackeray.

Aestheticism and Decadence (1880–1901)

1880

In this time, the authors emphasized in their literature, opposing the domain of scientific thought, and were against in how society viewed art that was considered to be of no value or utility. In their art, they also opposed to the natural norms of morality.

The Edwardian Period (1901–1914)

1901

This Period is named after the King Edward VII. The writings reflect the social conditions of this time. The most popular novelists were Joseph Conrad, Ford Madox Ford and Rudyard Kipling. On the other hand, the most important poets were Alfred Noyes, and William Butler Yeats. Similarly, the most important dramatists were James Barrie, George Bernard Shaw, and John Galsworthy.

The Georgian Period (1910–1936)

1910

This period is named for the reign of George V. This period produced much poetry by the Georgian Poets (Anthology of Georgian Poets), which focused mainly on the rural or pastoral in nature theme, traditional form, and it was treated delicately and traditionally. On the other hand, some of the most prominent poets were Ralph Hodgson, John Masefield, W.H. Davies, and Rupert Brooke.

The Modern Period (1914–1945)

1914

The written literature of this period starts at the beginning of the Second World War. The authors in their writings covered narrative, verse and drama; experimenting with subject matter, form and style. On the other hand, some of the most relevant authors were: James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, Aldous Huxley, D.H. Lawrence, Joseph Conrad, Dorothy Richardson, Graham Greene, E.M. Forster, and Doris Lessing, etc.

Postmodern Period (1945-Now)

1945

At the end of the Second World War, this period begins. Poststructuralist literary theory and criticism are developed. Also,
in literature, genres and literary styles began to be combined, in order to break free from modernist forms. On the other hand, some of the most relevant authors were Samuel Beckett, Joseph Heller, Anthony Burgess, John Fowles, etc.