Middle English Romances

"Thank heavens for Stephen Shepherd: his wit, expert editorial finesse and, not least, his critical judgment clear a path for us not only to fascinating texts, but also to an evergreen genre. The second edition of Middle English Romances guarantees pleasure and illumination."
- James Simpson, Harvard University

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This Norton Critical Edition includes:



The texts of eleven complete, authoritative romances—four new to the Second Edition: Havelok, Ywain and Gawain, Of Kyng Robert of Cisyle, Hou Pride dude Him Begyle, Sir Orfeo, Sir Launfal, Athelston, The Awntyrs off Arthure at the Terne Wathelyne, The Weddyng of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnell for Helpyng of Kyng Arthoure, The Grene Knight, The Sege off Melayne, and The Taill of Rauf Coilyear, How He Harbreit King Charlis.
A thorough introduction accompanied by updated and expanded explanatory footnotes by Stephen H. A. Shepherd.
In “Sources and Backgrounds,” detailed contextualizing headnotes and comparative analogues (many complete) for each of the eleven romances.
In “Criticism,” eight essays—four new to the Second Edition—that help students analyze the themes of Middle English romances.
An updated selected bibliography

 

“This welcome Second Edition of Stephen Shepherd’s collection of Middle English romances offers an authoritative entry into the richly varied world of medieval narrative. The expanded selection, which now also includes Older Scots, invites readers to make any number of connections between these important works and a range of fascinating contextual material that includes chronicles; Continental romances; biblical tales; and other central Middle English poems, such as Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The thematic groupings present a provocative stimulus to comparative reading, while the new critical pieces on madness, magic, history, and representations of Islam offer a thoughtful selection of fresh approaches to the texts. Professor Shepherd is to be thanked for providing a wonderful resource for students and teachers alike.” —Sarah Wood, University of Warwick