Chaucer and Fifteenth Century Verse Prose

Part of the complete reissue of "The Oxford History of English Literature", this volume reassesses the work of England's greatest medieval author and attempts to survey the 15th century in the light of modern scholarship. Aims to study the age of Chaucer and the events that shaped his career, and to show how the age made the poet. It also pays considerable attention to the precise poetic means Chaucer used to produce his effects. The writings of Lydgate, Hoccleve, Pecock, Fortescue, Caxton and other unknown writers of the 15th century are also assessed. Their work covered subjects such as love, war, religion, history, medicine, travel and practical affairs. This book sums up the contribution of the 15th century to the body and continuity of English literature.