Literature produced from 449 to 066 was composed in Old English. Unable to be read today except by scholars, any Old English literature commonly available has been translated into modern English.
The largest collection of translated Old English Literature is poetry. "Beowulf" is the most well-known poem. Several translations of the tale of the hero Beowulf exist in poetic and prose form. Another poem translated from Old English is "The Seafarer," told by an old sailor.
A smaller collection of Anglo-Saxon riddles focusing on nature have also been translated.
In prose, the most well-known piece is by the Venerable Bede, a monk and scholar. His 'A History of the English Church and People' written first in Latin was later translated into Old English and then into modern English.
Literature produced from 1066 to 1485 was composed in Middle English. More of the words can be read than in Old English, but manuscripts still required complete translations for later readers.
The most well-known literature from this time is Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales." Its opening page is frequently memorized in Middle English by high school and college students. The first two lines read: "Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote / The droghte of March hath perced to the roote."
Translated prose literature includes tales from the King Arthur legend like "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and Malory's "Morte Darthur."
Also translated from Middle English were several English and Scottish ballads like "Sir Patrick Spens" and "Get Up and Bar the Door." Today it is not uncommon to hear these ballads as they were originally meant to be heard--in song.
Translations of morality and mystery plays were also made. The most well-known is "Everyman" where the lead character faces death and must confess and do his penance in order to die.
Starting in 1485, the English language underwent a change to what is considered modern English. Through the centuries, changes in word definitions and the deletion of numerous words still creates problems in understanding the literature of this period. Shakespeare's plays and John Donne's poems demonstrate this clearly. An example from Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is a good illustration. Macduff comments on the fact that the death of his family has brought him to his knees and brought tears to his eyes: "I must also feel it as a man." Many have trouble with constructions such as these. Texts are available today that offer dual versions of Shakespeare's plays to make it easier for readers to understand the story.