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English and Creative Writing

Medieval and Renaissance Literature

The Medieval and Renaissance period stretches across a thousand years from the fifth century right through to the late fifteenth century. The literature of this period reflects a diverse range of cultural, religious, and aesthetic attitudes and practices. The Renaissance period is characterised by the development of humanist philosophies and recoveries of classical scientific and artistic works. Our authors cover a diverse range of subjects including mysticism, famine in India, cultures of lordship, hermits, and early modern philosophy.

This range of topics reflects not just the English and Creative Writing department’s strengths in Medieval and Renaissance studies, but Exeter’s status as an important centre during this period, with Exeter Cathedral containing one of the largest medieval spaces in Europe.

Works on Medieval and Renaissance literature by our departmental staff