British literature: Early Medieval Literature Content Introduction

Chapter II. Ten Classic Works of Medieval Literature

Say ‘medieval literature’ and a few names will spring to mind: Geoffrey Chaucer, Dante, the anonymous author of Beowulf. But where does one start exploring the wonderful and colourful world of medieval writing? Here are our ten recommendations, which give a sense of the rich panoply of medieval literature¹ .

Rather than order this list as ‘worst to best’ and attempt to proclaim one ‘best work of medieval literature’, we’ve avoided putting these ten books in any preferential order. Still, readers will doubtless have their favourites. What’s the best medieval book, for your money?