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British Library: Discovering Literature: Heroes and Heroines
Discover some of the earliest heroes and heroines in English literature, from Beowulf to King Arthur. What are the typical characteristics of a medieval hero, and what can this reveal about society in the Middle Ages?
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British Library: Discovering Literature: John Wycliffe
Familiarize yourself with the life and works of John Wycliffe. This source contains a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to related articles, collection items, and works.
British Library
British Library: Discovering Literature: William Caxton
Familiarize yourself with the life of William Caxton. This source contains a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to related articles, collection items, works, and teacher resources.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: Guthlac
Familiarize yourself with the life of Guthlac. This source contains a quick fact sheet, a short biography, and links to related articles.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: Old English
This article charts the evolution of Old English through the 700 years during which it was written and spoken.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: Language and Voice
From the development of Old and Middle English to the innovations of William Caxton and the printing press: explore language and voice in the medieval period.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: Collection Items
Discover a wealth of literary manuscripts and early print editions from the medieval period.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: William Caxton and the Introduction of Printing to England
This article explains how William Caxton brought the printing press to England and published printed versions of works by writers including Chaucer, Malory, Gower, Cicero, and Virgil.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: The Makars: Medieval Scottish Poetry
From morality to migraines: this article analyses key concerns in the late medieval poetry of Robert Henryson and William Dunbar.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: Experiencing Medieval Literature
This article explains how 'illiterate' individuals encountered literary texts and traditions through textiles, wall paintings, sculptures, and listening to works read aloud in the Middle Ages.
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British Library: Discovering Literature: The Earliest World History in English
This article considers what we can learn from the Old English Orosius about the Anglo-Saxons and their relationship to the wider world.