Sothern 10-31-32 26948 PREFACE THE nature of this book may be described in a few words. It is an attempt to give a short critical account of the greater English writers, with the background-intellectual, political, or social-which best helps to explain their work. As there is a clear literary tradition from the age of Chaucer to the beginning of the present century, such a book becomes a brief Literary History of England. The first and last chapters are in the nature of Introduction and Epilogue. The book is recommended to the attention of those who are concerned with English Literature as a means of higher education, and as a key to the thought and culture of the English people. In Schools, it is intended particularly for those who are studying English Literature as a special subject in the Higher School Certificate, and similar examinations. It is also designed for students in other subjects, especially the historian and the classical scholar, who wish to supplement their knowledge by a general acquaintance with English Literature. To the University student it is offered as a new introductory treatment of the subject. I cherish the extravagant hope that this book may exercise some slight influence on the future course of advanced studies in English. In my own time, the demands of Anglo-Saxon literature and philology on the energies of the University student were certainly exorbitant, and in spite of changes, here and there, in a more liberal direction, the situation does not seem to have greatly improved. For an adequate appreciation of the English writers from Chaucer onwards, some acquaintance with classical litera ture, or with English history, is at least as necessary as a detailed knowledge of Anglo-Saxon grammar; and even the study of Beowulf is not more essential, it seems to me, than that of the Iliad, or the Æneid, or the Reformation in England, or the Revolution of 1688. To admit the claims of these and other subjects to a place in the scheme of English studies would, I know, involve many difficulties of re-organization; yet the attempt must surely be made, sooner or later, if the Honours "School" of English is to flourish as it deserves. Signs of a movement in the direction I have indicated are already visible in certain places, and with that movement it is my hope that this book may in some small measure co-operate. My thanks are due to the Delegates of the Clarendon Press for their kind permission to print certain extracts from the Oxford "Chaucer," and to my former pupil, Mr. O. E. Holloway, of Balliol College, for much useful help in the correction of proofs. CLIFTON COLLEGE, June 1929. CONTENTS The Anglo-Saxon elements in modern English-The main features of Anglo-Saxon literature: poetry and prose-King Alfred as an educator-The Anglo-Saxon spirit reflected in The Seafarer- Alliterative measures- -Epic poetry: Beowulf and The Battle of PAGE Changes in the vocabulary after the Norman Conquest-New metres introduced-State of the Church in the fourteenth century-Alle- gory: The Vision of Piers Plowman-Romance: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight-The Pearl-Chaucer's life and works-His skill in narrative, illustrated from The Pardoner's Tale and Troilus THE RENAISSANCE AND THE REFORMATION The fifteenth century a period of dissolution-Birth of nationalities— The Humanists-New classical studies and their influence- Spirit of discovery and adventure-Translations of the Bible- Influence of the Reformation on English life: loss and gain . Spenser's predecessors in the sixteenth century-His life and works -The Faerie Queene: a romance and an allegory-Its plan- Fertility of Spenser's fancy-Illustrations-The allegorical pageants Qualities of Spenser's style-Influence of his manner |