Author Description

This anthology covers a period in English literature--from the death of Chaucer to the early years of Henry VIII's reign--which produced a variety of rich and fascinating writings. Chosen by Douglas Gray, the representative works in this collection include songs, ballads, and romances by familiar authors such as Malory, Henryson, Skelton, and More, as well as never-before published texts and some works previously available only in obscure editions. Gray provides the full text, along with a commentary and detailed glossary, for a number of works, including The Testament of Cresseid, Mankind, and Everyman. The book not only focuses on literary representations, but also offers a colorful picture of the time by setting private letters, scenes from chronicles, and extracts from books on alchemy, medicine, hunting, and fishing alongside Malory's moving account of the death of Arthur or charming stories from the Golden Legend. It also includes recipes for salmon, stewed partridge, and ones that promise to make hair grow, and tips for pilgrims going to the Holy Land. As a whole, The Oxford Book of Late Medieval Verse and Prose forms an impressive, entertaining affirmation of the period as one of ferment and achievement.