A Middle English Reader and a Middle English Vocabulary

Marc Notes: First work originally published: Fourteenth century verse & prose. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1921. 2nd work originally published: Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1922.; Includes bibliographical references and indexes. Publisher Marketing: Scholarly and highly informative, this anthology represents a distinctive contribution to the understanding and enjoyment of Middle English literature. Kenneth Sisam's well-chosen extracts from writings of the 14th century illustrate a rising new spirit in vernacular works. Selections include excerpts from such tales as "Sir Gawayne and the Grene Knight" and the "Gest Hystoriale of the destruction of Troy," the immortal "Piers Plowman," John Wycliffe's translation of the Bible, political commentaries, and poetry. In addition to notes on each selection and an informative appendix, this volume features an extensive glossary by J. R. R. Tolkien. Best known as the author of "The Lord of the Rings," Tolkien was an Oxford University professor of linguistics whose "vocabulary" offers an effective and practical complement to this outstanding anthology. Contributor Bio:  Tolkien, J R R J. R. R. Tolkien (1892 1973), beloved throughout the world as the creator of "The Hobbit", "The Lord of the Rings", and other tales of Middle-earth, was a professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, a fellow of Pembroke College, and a fellow of Merton College until his retirement in 1959. His chief interest was the linguistic aspects of the early English written tradition, but even as he studied these classics he was creating a set of his own. His books have been translated into more than fifty languages and have sold many millions of copies worldwide.