Product Description

This selection of literary texts ranges from the earliest writings in the vernacular up to the time of Chaucer. Spanning almost seven centuries, it encapsulates the foundation and consolidation of literature written in English. Works included are those considered essential for anyone with an interest in early medieval English literature. The texts are arranged broadly by date of manuscript, demonstrating to readers the range of literary writing produced during this time-span. No division has been made between Old and Middle English, allowing readers to view the earlier medieval period as a whole, and to make connections between genres and themes across the centuries. A general introduction gives an outline of the key works and the historical context in which they were written. Full translations are offered for all the Old and earlier Middle English material, along with marginal glosses for the later texts, making them accessible to those who are not language specialists. Explanatory notes and bibliographical information are included for study purposes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #661059 in Books
• Published on: 2000-01-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 622 pages

About the Author
Elaine M. Treharne is Reader in Medieval Literature at the University of Leicester. She is author of The Old English Life of St Nicholas with the Old English Life of St Giles (1997), and co-editor of Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts and their Heritage (with Philip Pulsiano), past editor of The Year's Work in English Studies and co-editor (with Philip Pulsiano) of A Companion to Anglo-Saxon Literature and Culture (forthcoming), both published by Blackwell.

Customer Reviews

A comprehensive colelction of excellent medieval texts.
This anthology contains a combination of mainstream and less-well-known texts from the period from the mid-seventh century to the mid-fourteenth century. All the major works are here ('Beowulf'; 'The Wanderer', 'The Seafarer', 'The Dream of The Rood', extracts from Bede's 'Ecclesiatical History', romances such as 'Ywain and Gawain', 'Sor Orfeo' and 'Kyng Alisaunder', and political poems such as 'Wynnour and Wastoure') as well as extracts from other chronicles, and religious and secular lyrics. The editing is meticulous, and the commentary is lively and well-informed, making the collection both easy to read and informative. If you buy only one anthology of Old and Middle English literature, this is the one to go for!