The Chaucerian Apocrypha

A Selection

Edited by Kathleen Forni

Book cover: The Chaucerian Apocrypha

Extent: 182 pages

Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: TEAMS Middle English Texts Series

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(July 2005)

ISBN: 9781580440967

7.01 x 10 inches

Price: $12.95

In stock

PDF (Published)

(July 2005)

ISBN: 9781580443999

Price: $10.00

The poems in this volume were prized and preserved because of their association with Chaucer’s name and have been, paradoxically, almost entirely ignored by modern readers for the same reason. Many of these pieces are worthy of study, not only in the context of Chaucerian reception, but also as specimens of the kinds of vernacular poetry that circulated in late medieval manuscripts and which remained in print, largely by the accidental virtue of their association with Chaucer, throughout the Renaissance and well into the nineteenth century. The various genres represented in this sampler (the dream vision, good counsel, female panegyric, mass parody, proverbial wisdom, lover’s dialogue, prochecy, advice to princes, elegiac complaint, courtly parody, and anti-feminist satire) attest to the diversity of late medieval literary tastes and to the flexibility of the courtly idiom. In the sixteenth century both Chaucer’s poetry and the diverse works with which it circulated appear to have continued to have been valued for their perceived courtly qualities. Chaucer’s early scribal and print editors also appear to have prized his sphere of influence (attested to by imitation, continuation, and emendation) and his adaptability to contemporary social and political needs.

Acknowledgements Introduction The Court of Love Introduction The Court of Love Explanatory Notes TextualNotes Literature of Courtly Love Introduction In February Notes O Merciful and O Mercyable Notes The Craft of Lovers Explanatory Notes Textual Notes John Lydgate, The Floure of Curtesye Notes The Lovers' Mass Notes The Antifeminist Tradition Introduction I Have a Lady (The Descryvyng of a Fair Lady) Notes O Mosy Quince Notes John Lydgate, Beware (The Blynde Eteth Many a Flye) Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Of Theyre Nature Notes Good Counsel, Wisdom and Advice Introduction Four Things That Make a Man a Fool and Yit of the Same Eight Goodly Questions with Their Aunswers Notes Duodecim Abusiones (The Twelve Abuses) Notes Prophecy Notes John Gower, In Praise of Peace Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Scogan's Moral Balade Explanatory Notes Textual Notes Epigraph Bibliography Glossary,

Acknowledgements
General Introduction

The Court of Love
Introduction
The Court of Love
Explanatory Notes
TextualNotes

Literature of Courtly Love
Introduction
In February
Notes
O Merciful and O Mercyable
Notes
The Craft of Lovers
Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes
John Lydgate, The Floure of Curtesye
Notes
The Lovers' Mass
Notes

The Antifeminist Tradition
Introduction
I Have a Lady (The Descryvyng of a Fair Lady)
Notes
O Mosy Quince
Notes
John Lydgate, Beware (The Blynde Eteth Many a Flye)
Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes
Of Theyre Nature
Notes

Good Counsel, Wisdom and Advice
Introduction
Four Things That Make a Man a Fool and Yit of the Same
Eight Goodly Questions with Their Aunswers
Notes
Duodecim Abusiones (The Twelve Abuses)
Notes
Prophecy
Notes
John Gower, In Praise of Peace
Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes
Scogan's Moral Balade
Explanatory Notes
Textual Notes

Epigraph
Bibliography
Glossary

  • Edited by Kathleen Forni