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After the invasion of Celtic England by Germanic tribes (until the conquest of England by William the Conqueror), written literature began to develop from oral works. Poetry started appearing around this time. Epic stories of heroism started being written; while not many have survived until modern times, one of these poems, Beowulf, is still around and considered one of the most important pieces of old english literature.
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This era consists of literature made between the Norman conquests of the region. The standard language derived from a dialect from the London area became recognized as modern english. While the first part of the era focused mostly on religious writings, the second part of it went to works of secular writing. One of these secular works were The Canterbury Tales, written by Geoffrey Chaucer; a collection of stories written in Middle English.
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By the rise of the House of Tudor to the english throne, english literacy began to have a renaissance thanks to humanists such as Sir Thomas Moore and Sir Thomas Wyatt, authors of such works as Utopia (Moore) and many different poems (most by Wyatt). Different types of important poets and writers, such as William Shakespeare, Thomas Middleton, Thomas Hobbes and more take the scene and create works that would endure for ages. Writing took a more sophisticated and refined tone.
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Influenced by contemporary french literature, this age saw the beginning of different uses of philosphy, reason, skepticism, wit and refinement on literary works. Writings improved their refinement, clarity and elegance while taking a sympathy for old works. This age saw important pieces of literature such as the first novel in english, Robinson Crusoe, written by Daniel Defoe. Poems like Paradise Lost, Paradise Regained, written by John Milton, and concerns the topic of philosophy and reason.
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This period of literature was characterised by its personal nature, its strong use old feeling, its abundant use of symbolism and the exploration of nature and the supernatural (such as Gothic literature). The Romantics, authors of this age, believed that literature could be spontanteous, imaginative, personal and free. Authors such as Jane Austen (English novelist known for her work on Pride and Prejudice) and Mary Shelley (short story writer, dramatist and novelist) defined this age.
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Set during the reign of Queen Victoria, works of this time dealed with issues of their day such as social, economic, religion, clash of classes due to the Industrial Revolution, and many different more. Authors around this time started experimenting with new themes and topics while keeping moral values. Works around this age go from Ulysses, by Alfred Lord Tennyson (poet); Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte (novelist and poet); and The Picture of Dorian Grey, by Oscar Wilde (poet and playwright).
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Named after King Edward, works of this age concentrated on the topic of social class and conditions due to notable differences between the lower / poor class and the upper / rich class. Authors took aim against the selfishness of the upper class while also taking an interest on new fantastical topics and themes. Notable here are works by authors like H.G. Wells (named the father of science fiction by works such as The Time Machine), and Rudyard Kipling (author of The Jungle Book).
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Authors of this period, taking inspiration from modern problems such as the class division, World Wars and many topics of the day, experimented on bigger scales and expanding genres. Important poets and authors such as T.S Elliot (author of The Waste Land) and Virginia Woolf (Mrs. Dalloway, A Room for One's Own) took the to create works of fantastical literature, commentary on problems and / or criticism of society or class.
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After the Second World War, literature saw a development in genres and styles in an attempt to break free of modernist forms. Today, literary scene at the turn of the new millenium is crowded and varied. Authors fall into the categories of modernism and postmodernism; however, with the passing of time, literary works may be reorganized and expanded. Authors, thinkers, philosophers, critics, poets and many more keep evolving with new ideas and themes which will keep developing today's world.