Ñàéò ïîå糿, â³ðø³, ïîçäîðîâëåííÿ ó â³ðøàõ :: William Langland :: Á³îãðàô³ÿ

William Langland :: Á³îãðàô³ÿ

William Langland (ca.1331-1400) is a Medieval poet. He was possibly born at Cleobury Mortimer, Shrophire, where there is a plaque in the church porch to this effect, although Ledbury and Colwall, near Great Malvern, make equally strong claims to his birth. Very little is known of Langland's life apart from information contained in Piers Plowman or The Vision of Piers Plowman, on which his fame endures. He may have been educated at Malvern Priory and the poem shows knowledge of both religious scriptures and the Malvern Hills. He is thought to have left the district to live in London, where he made his living by singing songs at rich men's funerals. He is believed to be the author of The Vision Piers the Plowman. Written in West Midland dialect, the poem tells the story of Piers, a simple countryman. Langland was himself very poor and the poem provides a first-hand account of what life was like for ordinary people living in England during the 14th century. The poem also attacked the corruption of the nobility and leading members of the church. The first version of The Vision of Piers Plowman appeared in 1362. Langland constantly worked on the poem and further versions were circulated in 1377 and 1395. Over sixty copies of The Vision of Piers Plowman have survived.