Introduction to the Literature of Europe in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Centuries, Vol. 1

"Introduction to the Literature of Europe in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Centuries" by Henry Hallam is a historical journey through European literature, starting in the Middle Ages and continuing into the Renaissance. This book, penned in the 1800s, offers a thoughtful exploration of writers, literary trends, and writing styles prominent during this period. Hallam carefully considers how changes in society and politics shaped literary works, and he also points out the connections between literature, philosophy, and science. The narrative begins by looking back at literature before the 14th century, describing the decline of knowledge after the Roman Empire fell, the weakening of poetry during the Dark Ages, and the effects of religion on writing; it will also touch on the rise of schools that promoted learning and fresh literary expressions, as well as the shift from Latin to everyday languages, which enabled literary advances across Europe.