Postcolonial Elements in Early English Poetry

Reconsidering the old and early medieval English poetry, one may notice that a
great deal of verse reflects the atmosphere of conflict prevailing at the time. The
poets used poetry to commend living or dead people: heroes, knights, holy figures
and nobles. The praised champions often defended their homeland against
invaders in order to preserve their inherited national identity. This gives AngloSaxon(
to A.D.1066) and Anglo-Norman( 1066-1340) poetry an importance in the
realm of postcolonial studies. The warlike life experienced by both the AngloSaxons
and the Anglo-Normans can be considered a major factor of the poets'
adoption of heroic themes and tones.