Age of Revival | Early Renaissance Period | From Chaucer to Spenser

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Age of Revival / Early Renaissance Period / From Chaucer to Spenser, spanning from approximately 1400 / 1450 to 1550, marks a significant period in English history, bridging the medieval era and the early Renaissance. This period, also known as the Early Renaissance, is characterized by a series of profound changes that shaped the cultural, intellectual, and political landscape of England. The era saw the end of medieval feudalism, the rise of the Tudor dynasty, the onset of the Protestant Reformation, and the beginning of the English Renaissance, laying the groundwork for the flourishing of English literature and arts.

Historical Context and Political Unrest

The War of the Roses

The Age of Revival begins against a backdrop of intense political turmoil, most notably the War of the Roses (1455–1485). This series of dynastic conflicts between the House of York and the House of Lancaster was essentially a civil war for control of the English throne. The war’s impact was far-reaching, leading to widespread social and economic instability and leaving a lasting imprint on the collective consciousness of the English people. The war ended with the victory of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) at the Battle of Bosworth Field, which marked the beginning of the Tudor dynasty and a new era of stability and centralization in English governance.

Monarchs and Their Influence

The Age of Revival saw the reign of several significant monarchs who played crucial roles in shaping the course of English history:

Henry V (1413–1422): Known for his military success during the Hundred Years’ War, particularly his victory at the Battle of Agincourt.
Henry VI (1422–1461): Ascended to the throne as a child and later presided over a period of political instability, contributing to the outbreak of the War of the Roses.
Edward IV (1461–1483): A key figure in the Yorkist cause during the War of the Roses, his reign brought temporary stability.
Richard III (1483–1485): His short reign ended with his defeat at Bosworth Field, effectively ending the War of the Roses.
Henry VII (1485–1509): Founder of the Tudor dynasty, his reign marked the beginning of the English Renaissance and the consolidation of royal power.
Henry VIII (1509–1547): A pivotal figure whose establishment of the Church of England and patronage of the arts significantly influenced the cultural and religious landscape of England.
Edward VI (1547–1553): Henry VIII’s son, whose short reign continued the Protestant Reformation in England.

The Protestant Reformation

One of the most defining features of this period was the Protestant Reformation, initiated by Henry VIII’s break with the Roman Catholic Church. The establishment of the Church of England marked a significant religious and cultural shift, fostering a new sense of national identity and laying the groundwork for religious diversity in England. The Reformation also had profound implications for literature and the arts, as religious themes and debates became central to much of the period’s cultural production.

Educational Advancements and the Rise of Humanism

The Age of Revival was also a time of significant intellectual growth, driven by the establishment of universities and the spread of Renaissance humanism. In Scotland, three universities were founded: St. Andrews (1411), Glasgow (1451), and Aberdeen (1495). These institutions became centres of learning, promoting the study of classical texts and new ideas that challenged medieval scholasticism. The rise of humanism emphasized the value of the individual, the importance of education, and the study of the humanities, which had a profound impact on the literature and thought of the period.

Literary Developments in the Age of Revival

The literature of the Age of Revival is marked by a rich diversity of voices and styles, reflecting the complex social, political, and intellectual currents of the time. The period’s literary output can be broadly categorized into three groups: poetry, prose, and drama.

Poetry: The Chaucerian Legacy

The poets of the Age of Revival were heavily influenced by the works of Geoffrey Chaucer, often referred to as the father of English poetry. These poets, known as the Chaucerians, sought to emulate and build upon Chaucer’s poetic style, creating a distinct literary tradition.

English Chaucerians

John Lydgate (1370–1451): A close friend of Chaucer, Lydgate continued the Chaucerian tradition with works like The Story of Thebes, an addition to The Canterbury Tales, and London Lickpenny, which offers a vivid depiction of life in London.
Thomas Occleve (1368–1450): Known for The Regement of Princes, a didactic poem written for the young Henry V, and La Male Regle, a partly autobiographical work that reflects Occleve’s personal struggles.
Stephen Homes: Though less well-known, Homes made significant contributions with The Passetyme of Pleasure, a poem that blends rhyme royal stanzas with couplets, demonstrating the versatility of Chaucerian forms.
Alexander Barclay (1475–1552): Best known for his satirical allegory Ship of Fools, a translation of Sebastian Brant’s Das Narrenschiff, which critiques the follies of contemporary society.

Scottish Chaucerians

James I of Scotland (1394–1437): His The Kingis Quair (The King’s Book) is a semi-autobiographical allegory written in rhyme royal, demonstrating the enduring influence of Chaucer’s poetic forms.
Robert Henryson (1429–1508): Noted for The Testament of Cressid, a continuation of Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde, which explores themes of fate and tragedy in a Chaucerian framework.
William Dunbar (1460–1530): Often regarded as the greatest of the Scottish Chaucerians, Dunbar is celebrated for works like Golden Targe and The Thrissil and the Rois, which blend allegory and celebration of royal events.
Gavin Douglas (1474–1522): His translation of Virgil’s Aeneid is a landmark in Scottish literature, bringing the classical epic to a Scottish audience and showcasing the influence of Chaucer on Scottish poetry.

Prose: The Dawn of English Humanism

Prose writing during the Age of Revival was marked by the rise of humanist thought and the dissemination of ideas through the newly established printing press.

William Caxton (1422–1491): As the first English printer, Caxton played a crucial role in making literature more accessible. His first printed book in England, The Dictes and Sayengis of the Philosophers (1477), and his 24 translations from French, Latin, and Dutch, introduced new literary forms and ideas to English readers.
Sir Thomas More (1478–1535): A key figure in English humanism, More’s Utopia (1516) is a seminal work of socio-political satire that critiques contemporary European society through the depiction of an idealized island community. Written in Latin, Utopia reflects More’s deep engagement with classical philosophy, particularly Plato’s Republic.
William Tyndale (c.1494–c.1536): Tyndale was a pioneering figure in the translation of the Bible into English. His translation of the New Testament, first printed in Cologne in 1525, laid the foundation for future English translations and played a critical role in the spread of Protestantism in England.
Miles Coverdale (1488–1568): Known for his role in producing the Matthew Bible (1537), a translation that combined Tyndale’s work with Coverdale’s own contributions, Coverdale’s efforts were instrumental in making the scriptures accessible to the English-speaking public.

Drama: The Beginnings of English Theatre

While the Age of Revival was not as prolific in drama as the later Elizabethan period, it saw the emergence of important early works that laid the groundwork for English theatre.

Thomas Sackville, 1st Earl of Dorset (1536–1608): Sackville’s collaboration with Thomas Norton in the tragedy Gorboduc (1561/1562), later known as Ferrex and Porrex, is notable for being the first English play to employ blank verse. The play’s exploration of political themes, particularly the dangers of civil discord, reflects the concerns of the period and anticipates the political drama of the Elizabethan stage.
Nicholas Udall (1504–1556): Udall’s Ralph Roister Doister (1551) is considered the first English comedy. Inspired by the works of Roman playwrights Plautus and Terence, the play marks the beginning of a tradition of English comedy that would be further developed by playwrights like Shakespeare and Ben Jonson.

Conclusion

The Age of Revival was a period of profound transformation in England, marked by political upheaval, religious reform, and cultural renewal. The literature of this period, encompassing poetry, prose, and drama, reflects the complex interplay of tradition and innovation that characterized the age. The poets, both English and Scottish Chaucerians, sought to build upon the legacy of Chaucer, while prose writers like William Caxton and Sir Thomas More introduced new ideas and literary forms to a wider audience. The dramatists of the period, though few in number, laid the groundwork for the development of English drama, setting the stage for the flourishing of the Elizabethan theatre. The Age of Revival, therefore, stands as a crucial bridge between the medieval and modern worlds, shaping the course of English literature and culture for centuries to come.