Bøger i Exeter Medieval Texts and Stud serien

This is the first critical edition of the thirty-four unattributed Middle English poems in Cambridge, University Library MS Ff.1.6. This collection of poems is significant for its thematic coherence and its stylistic variety, and for the insight it provides into regional literary culture in the century after Chaucer.

Malachy the Irishman's 14th century text On Poison has been obscure in latter centuries, but in the later Middle Ages, his was a book widely known, including to Holcot and Langland. Following a lengthy introduction, the volume presents an annotated text and translation; it ends with three indexes, designed to open the text.

This timely new edition of Beowulf strives to retain the four distinctive features of the previous editions: textual conservatism, concise presentation, concentration on the needs of literary students, and Wrenn's superb erudition and experience. For the most part it leaves intact Wrenn's basic intentions and editorial decisions; with rare exceptions, they have been altered only because of new evidence that Wrenn could not have seen.