History of English Humour, Vol. 1 With an Introduction upon Ancient Humour
CHAPTER I.
MIDDLE AGES.
Relapse of Civilization in the Middle Ages--Stagnation of Mind--Scarcity of Books--Character of reviving Literature--Religious Writings--Fantastic Legends--Influence of the Crusades--Romances--Sir Bevis of Hamptoun--Prominence of the Lower Animals--Allegories 161