Anglo-Norman Poetry and the Concept of Courtly Love

England started being invaded by the Germanic Anglo-Saxons in the 5th century. Anglo-Saxons themselves were invaded by the Danes in the 10th century. Thus for nearly a thousand years, England had no national unity, but was a country of many small kingdoms, and recurrent battles. But in 1066, a final and decisive conquest put an end to all that.

In 1066, a nobleman from Normandy in the north of France, conquered Britain, united it under one kingdom, and replaced the Anglo-Saxon rulers with his own men. To better know and control his new acquisition, England, William the Conqueror made a vast inventory of all property in England called the Doomsday Book.

The famous Bayeux Tapestry narrating the Battle of Hastings and William’s Conquest of England.

The Anglo-Normans spoke a variety of French The Anglo-Normans spoke a variety of French. In arts, literature and architecture, they were more advanced than the Anglo-Saxons they invaded. They brought their culture with them.

Unlike the Anglo-Saxons who built wooden mead-halls,

the Anglo-Norman built stone castles,

and cathedrals...

William the Conqueror took the lands of most Anglo-Saxon kings and thegns, and he gave them to Norman noble warriors who helped him in his conquest. Thus feudalism came to England. Thus the ordinary Anglo-Saxon people, the ceorls, villagers, became villeins subjected to a lord who had every right over them. The Norman lords built manors (castles) and lived in them.

the concept of courtly life style and etiquette, “romance” literature, The Anglo-Norman brought with them the concept of courtly life style and etiquette, “romance” literature, the concept of chivalry, and courtly love.

“Romance” meant: The French vernacular language of the middle ages. Poetry in this language. Narratives about adventure and love.

Stages of Courtly Love according to Capellanus’s The Art of Courtly Love (12th century): Attraction to the lady, usually via eyes/glance Worship of the lady from afar Declaration of passionate devotion Virtuous rejection by the lady Renewed wooing with oaths of virtue and eternal fealty Moans of approaching death from unsatisfied desire (and other physical manifestations of lovesickness) Heroic deeds of valor which win the lady's heart Consummation of the secret love Endless adventures and subterfuges avoiding detection