1. Chansons de Geste: These epic poems in Old French were immensely popular, telling tales of chivalry and adventure. Some famous examples include "The Song of Roland," "The Song of William," and "The Song of Alexander."
2. Religious Literature: Texts such as the "Life of Saint Alexis" and "The Miracles of Our Lady" were popular, fulfilling both a religious and entertaining purpose.
3. Medieval Romances: These works, often involving knights, ladies, and magical elements, were popular among a variety of audiences. "Lancelot-Grail" and "Tristan and Isolde" are examples.
4. Folklore and Oral Traditions: While not always written down, oral traditions like fables, tales, and proverbs were prevalent and contributed to the development of literary themes.
Factors to Consider:
* Audience: The "most popular" literature would have varied depending on the audience.
* Literacy: Literacy was still relatively low in the 1100s, so oral traditions and texts read aloud would have had a significant impact.
* Availability: Manuscript production was expensive, so access to written material would have been limited.
It's important to remember:
* Our knowledge of the 1100s is based on what survived, which is likely only a small percentage of what was actually produced.
* The popularity of certain works can be difficult to measure without concrete data.
Ultimately, the most popular vernacular literature of the 1100s would have been a mix of these genres, reflecting the diverse cultural landscape and audiences of the time.