From the Publisher
Informed, insightful and important. Anna Baldwin matches groupings of key texts to a vivid account of the changing structure of medieval society, bringing the literature of medieval England alive for the reader in the context of major social forces and political events throughout a tumultuous yet brilliant period of writing in English.' – Barry Windeatt, University of Cambridge, UK
'Teachers of Middle English Literature need think no further about which book to use to introduce the entire field, from top to bottom and start to finish. This is it. Anna Baldwin compacts massive learning and trenchant, no-nonsense judgement into a wonderful, clear, well organized compendium.' – James Simpson, Harvard University, USA
'This book covers a wide range of material, from the popular Chaucer and Malory to less-studied texts such as Piers Plowman and the Langland tradition. The twinning of these texts is enterprising and thought-provoking.' – Helen Phillips, Cardiff University, UK
'Anna's book is the perfect introduction - well-researched, highly readable, full of original passages from a whole range of medieval poems, plays and pamphlets, and complete with mini-biographies of many of the major literary figures of the time. The perfect starting-point, in fact, from which to find out more about this extraordinary time in our history...' – Stephen Lewis, The Press
