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Contributor: Melissa Kowalski. Lesson ID: 10893
The Middle Ages might not have had a Taylor Swift or an Eminem, but it was full of songs with lyrics that told stories. Learn all about medieval ballads!
Modern music and poetry grew from the medieval ballad, and both still share many traits with this nearly thousand-year-old literary form!
A ballad is a narrative poem set to music.
Ballads originated in the Middle Ages in England and spread across Europe. They were the popular songs of their era.
Review the History of Medieval Ballads and their Characteristics, found under Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar.
Then, explore a selection of different types of Ballads and learn more information about them.
When you are ready, read each medieval ballad below.
Continue to the Got It? section to listen to and analyze a medieval ballad.
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