English Alliterative Verse: Poetic Tradition and Literary History

The English Alliterative Verse spans from the eighth to the sixteenth century, combining literary history and metrical description to reimagine the historical study of poetics.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 24 January 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The rich tapestry of medieval poetic tradition is woven into the fabric of English Alliterative Verse, encompassing the timeless tales of Beowulf, Piers Plowman, and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. This captivating narrative spans from the eighth century, when the first traces of English poetry graced manuscripts, to the sixteenth century, marking the end of the alliterative poetic era. In his groundbreaking work, Eric Weiskott takes a bold step by delving into the study of meter, challenging the traditional division of medieval English literary history into Old English and Middle English periods. This book, a testament to Weiskott's expertise, seamlessly weaves together the history of metrical form and its profound cultural significance, reuniting the two halves of the alliterative tradition that were separated by the Norman Conquest of 1066. By fusing literary history and metrical description into a novel form of history known as verse history, Weiskott reimagines the historical study of poetics, offering a fresh perspective on the evolution of this art form. Through meticulous research and a deep understanding of the literary landscape, he unveils the intricate connections between meter, language, and cultural identity, shedding light on the rich tapestry of medieval literature. English Alliterative Verse serves as a gateway to the captivating world of medieval poetry, inviting readers to explore the profound themes, vivid imagery, and enduring legacy of this literary genre.

Weight: 382g
Dimension: 150 x 229 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316620700