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II. Anglo-Saxon Poems.—War-songs—Epic tales—Waldhere, Beowulf—Analysis of "Beowulf"—The ideal of happiness in "Beowulf"—Landscapes—Sad meditations—The idea of death—Northern snows 45
CHAPTER IV. CHRISTIAN LITERATURE AND PROSE LITERATURE OF THE ANGLO-SAXONS. I. Conversion.—Arrival of Augustine—The new teaching—The imperial idea and the Christian idea—Beginnings of the new faith—Heathen survivals—Convents and schools—Religious kings and princes—Proselytism, St. Boniface 60 II. Latin Culture.—Manuscripts—Alcuin, St. Boniface, Aldhelm, Æddi, Bede—Life and writings of Bede—His "Ecclesiastical History"—His sympathy for the national literature 65 III. Christian Poems.—The genius of the race remains nearly unchanged—Heroical adventures of the saints—Paraphrase of the Bible—Cædmon—Cynewulf—His sorrows and despair—"Dream of the Rood"—"Andreas"—Lugubrious sights—The idea of death—Dialogues—Various poems—The "Physiologus"—"Phœnix" 68 IV. Prose—Alfred the Great.—Laws and charters—Alfred and the Danish invasions—The fight for civilisation—Translation of works by St. Gregory, Orosius (travels of Ohthere), Boethius (story of Orpheus)—Impulsion given to prose—Werferth—Anglo-Saxon Chronicles—Character of Alfred. 78 V. St. Dunstan—Sermons.—St. Dunstan (tenth century) resumes the work of Alfred—Translation of pious works—Collections of sermons—Ælfric, Wulfstan, "Blickling" homilies—Attempt to reach literary dignity. End of the Anglo-Saxon period 88
BOOK II. THE FRENCH INVASION. CHAPTER I. BATTLE. I. The Invaders of the Year 1066.—England between two civilisations—The North and South—The Scandinavians at Stamford-bridge. The Normans of France—The army of William is a French army—Character of William—The battle—Occupation of the country 97 II. England bound to Southern Civilisations.—Policy of William—Survey of his new domains—Unification—The successors of William—Their practical mind and their taste for adventures—Taste for art—French families settled in England—Continental possessions of English kings—French ideal—Unification of origins—Help from chroniclers and poets—The Trojan ancestor 104
CHAPTER II. LITERATURE IN THE FRENCH LANGUAGE UNDER THE NORMAN AND ANGEVIN KINGS. I. Diffusion of the French Language.—The French language superimposed on the English one—Its progress; even among "lowe men"—Authors of English blood write their works in French 116 II. The French Literature of the Normans and Angevins.—It is animated by their own practical and adventurous mind—Practical works: chronicles, scientific and pious treatises 120 III. Epic Romances.—The Song of Roland and the Charlemagne cycle—Comparison with "Beowulf"—The matter of Rome—How antiquity is translated—Wonders—The matter of Britain—Love—Geoffrey of Monmouth—Tristan and Iseult—Lancelot and Guinevere—Woman—Love as a passion and love as a ceremonial 125 IV. Lays and Chansons.—Shorter stories—Lays of Marie de France—Chansons of France—Songs in French composed in England 141 V. Satirical and Ironical Works.—Such works introduced in England—The pilgrimage of Charlemagne—The "Roman de Renart," a universal comedy—Fabliaux—Their migrations—Their aim—Their influence in England 146
CHAPTER III. LATIN. I. The Ties with Rome.—William I., Henry II., John—Church lands—The "exempt" abbeys—Coming of the friars—The clergy in Parliament—Part played by prelates in the State—Warrior prelates, administrators, scavants, saints 157 II. Spreading of Knowledge.—Latin education—Schools and libraries—Book collectors: Richard of Bury—Paris, chief town for Latin studies—The Paris University; its origins, teaching, and organisation—English students at Paris—Oxford and Cambridge—Studies, battles, feasts—Colleges, chests, libraries 166