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The Dark Ages
Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.
- GenresHistory
236 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1904
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About the author
W.P. Ker
47 books5 followersWilliam Paton Ker (usually referred to as W. P. Ker) was a Scottish literary scholar and essayist.
He was appointed to a fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford in 1879, became Professor of English Literature and History at the University College of South Wales, Cardiff in 1883; and moved to University College London as Quain Professor in 1889. He was the Oxford Professor of Poetry from 1920 to his death.
He was appointed to a fellowship at All Souls College, Oxford in 1879, became Professor of English Literature and History at the University College of South Wales, Cardiff in 1883; and moved to University College London as Quain Professor in 1889. He was the Oxford Professor of Poetry from 1920 to his death.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
August 23, 2020
A fascinating work displaying an amazing erudition. I am sure that much of what Ker says has been superseded by further research and reinterpreted by more recent theories. Yet the breadth of his knowledge and the fluency with which he conveys it make it worth reading, though the use of the term 'dark ages' has been deprecated by current scholarship. Whatever Ker called them, they don't seem so dark to him.
August 30, 2021
One of the first things Professor William Paton Ker (1855-1922) discusses in this book is that the term “Dark Ages” is misleading and rather nebulous in timing. That established, he sticks with it for a handy title for this survey of European literature from roughly 500-1100 A.D. This was originally published in 1907, and my copy was a 1958 reprint.
After a discussion of the sources the authors of the early medieval period used for their literary material (the Bible, mythology, recent history), there are three main sections. It’s divided up by authors working in Latin, the Teutonic languages (such as Old English), and everyone else. Notably, there’s not much on the Romance languages, as their explosive literary development in the 12th Century is the dividing point that Professor Ker ends just before.
This is definitely a “college” book (Professor Ker taught at University College, London for most of his career.) The author assumes that the reader has already had instruction in Latin and Ancient Greek and seldom bothers to translate the copious quotes in that language. He’s more generous with Old English and the other Teutonic languages. There’s copious footnotes, a list of important sources, and suggested further reading, as well as an index.
I found this book rather thick going. I’m widely read, but my formal literary education is somewhat lacking. And I suspect that some of the scholarship is outdated with new discoveries in medieval manuscripts.
But it’s interesting stuff, as Professor Ker discusses how Latin is used by different authors in different countries, the many kinds of poetry (with in depth looks at versicles and rhyme schemes), and which authors are more inventive as opposed to polished in their use of language.
This one should be in the public domain, so check libraries and the usual legal downloading sites. Recommended primarily to literature majors.
After a discussion of the sources the authors of the early medieval period used for their literary material (the Bible, mythology, recent history), there are three main sections. It’s divided up by authors working in Latin, the Teutonic languages (such as Old English), and everyone else. Notably, there’s not much on the Romance languages, as their explosive literary development in the 12th Century is the dividing point that Professor Ker ends just before.
This is definitely a “college” book (Professor Ker taught at University College, London for most of his career.) The author assumes that the reader has already had instruction in Latin and Ancient Greek and seldom bothers to translate the copious quotes in that language. He’s more generous with Old English and the other Teutonic languages. There’s copious footnotes, a list of important sources, and suggested further reading, as well as an index.
I found this book rather thick going. I’m widely read, but my formal literary education is somewhat lacking. And I suspect that some of the scholarship is outdated with new discoveries in medieval manuscripts.
But it’s interesting stuff, as Professor Ker discusses how Latin is used by different authors in different countries, the many kinds of poetry (with in depth looks at versicles and rhyme schemes), and which authors are more inventive as opposed to polished in their use of language.
This one should be in the public domain, so check libraries and the usual legal downloading sites. Recommended primarily to literature majors.
October 30, 2019
Broad survey of dark ages (400-900ish) literature, cut up by language (literature in latin, literature in germanic languages, literature in everything else (irish, welsh, greek, french)). Probably works best as an index, to point out which works were important and why, and then you can go read them as you please. Individual works are sometimes discussed at length, occasionally quoted, but mostly related to common themes of the period or related to other works, either classical (ie, Greek historians working in the style of Thucidydes), high medieval (the Chanson de Roland being a transitional work from dark age individualism to medieval christendom), or contemporary (contrasting the descriptions of battle in irish vs english poetry of the period, for example).
Often funny (sometimes by way of selected paraphrases from discussed works), kept a surprisingly good pace given the subject matter. Quite readable despite its age. I do think it would've benefited a bit from better support for readers who don't know latin; the latin poetry he quoted was quite lost on me. Understandable, though, given that latin was more commonly learned when the book was written.
Often funny (sometimes by way of selected paraphrases from discussed works), kept a surprisingly good pace given the subject matter. Quite readable despite its age. I do think it would've benefited a bit from better support for readers who don't know latin; the latin poetry he quoted was quite lost on me. Understandable, though, given that latin was more commonly learned when the book was written.
February 2, 2022
Why can't you be wrong?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews