English Historical Literature in the Fourteenth Century

by John Taylor

In England, the fourteenth-century was the last great century of monastic chronicle writing and medieval letters, yet it was also a time that witnessed a new genre of political poetry and produced some of the best descriptions of medieval parliaments known to survive. Taylor here examines the writings of the period as well as the background of chroniclers and poets, the problems they encountered, and the audience for whom they wrote. As England and France were heavily bound by military and cultural affairs, he includes the works of French writers as an important source for English history. Offering a more personal perspective on events than those recorded in governmental documents, this work is a valuable addition to the historiography of the period.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 30, 1987

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Reviews

[Trevor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough introduction and coverage to fourteenth-century English historical texts. Goes well with Gransden's two volume 'Historical Writing in England', Kingsford's 'English Historical Literature in the Fifteenth Century, and the 'Manual of Middle English Verse'. Given-Wilson's later work is more about methodology than giving coverage of each text, and should be consulted as well. Overall Taylor's volume is more thorough than the other works as he clearly read his chronicles all the way through. Some of the chapters feel a bit out of place and are indeed revised versions of articles published previously. Overall, a key reference work with many insights that scholars of late-medieval England should read.