This new and innovative approach to English Medieval Studies takes what is often judged as two separate fields, Old and Middle English, and unites them under their common linguistic and literary contintuities. An introductory grammar shows the continuous development of Old English to Middle and Early Modern English, with examples taken from a wide variety of carefully annotated texts. This collection will introduce beginning students to the diverse and fascinating world of Medieval English.

Zusammenfassung
The fifth edition of this innovative approach to English Medieval Studies offers an expanded corpus of Old and Middle English texts. The selection from the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle now includes entries recording Viking raids during the second half of the ninth century. Readers and students interested in Middle English lyrics will find two additional poems which demonstrate clearly that medieval literary production was not exclusively concerned with texts mirroring conservative moral standards. Chaucer's outstanding oeuvre is now represented by the full text of the &quote;Reeve's Tale&quote; and selections from the &quote;General Prologue&quote;. While the introductory grammar has been retained with only some minor changes, the explanatory notes to the texts have been revised and substantially expanded. The glossaries have been updated and the bibliography includes additional entries. This expanded and revised guide to English Medieval Studies will introduce beginning students to the diverse and fascinating world of Medieval English with its gradually evolving literary standards and its almost unparalleled wealth of highly developed literary genres.