MID - Ballads in the Middle Ages Lesson

A ballad is a form of verse, often a narrative set to music. Ballads arrived in England with the French influence and used in France as "dancing songs". Folk Ballads are short, repetitive songs with no known authors. Ballads were not written down, so several versions of a single ballad can exist.

Characteristics of a Ballad

Like other narrative works, folk ballads contain characters and tell stories. The structure of these stories is a four-line stanza, in which the second and fourth lines rhyme. As you read these poems look for refrains, incremental repetition, question and answer format, conventional phrases and a strong, simple beat.  To appreciate a folk ballad's narrative flow, you can summarize the action stanza by stanza. Look at the images below to learn more about characteristics of a ballad.

Characteristics of a Ballad: Plot

• A single experience or incident occur
• Elements of the supernatural might play a role
• Incidents happen with common folk (not nobility)
• Themes of courage and love
• Often reveals tragic situations or disasters

Characteristics of a Ballad: Structure

• Incremental repetition
• Abrupt transitions
• Often ends with a summary
• Second and fourth lines rhyme

Characteristics of a ballad: Narration

• Description of characters often occur
• Dialogue reveals the action
• Plain, simple language

Reading Assignment

It is now time to read two ballads from the Middle Ages. When reading the ballads, notice the various elements appearing in the text that classify this reading as a ballad, and try to summarize each stanza in order to understand the narrative. If you need assistance summarizing the ballads, use the Ballad Summary Chart as a guide.

Download the Ballad Summary Chart. Links to an external site.

Also when reading, note how the themes of love or chivalry develop.

"Get Up and Bar the Door" Links to an external site.

"Get Up and Bar the Door" is a humorous ballad about a husband and wife. The ballad details an evening the couple has. 

"Lord Randall" Links to an external site.

"Lord Randall" is a ballad about a Lord who arrives home suffering from poison. The ballad tells of the Lord's experience when he arrives home. 

You will be responsible for the information covering ballads in this lesson.