Fourteenth Century Verse and Prose

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Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose
Fourteenth Century Verse and Prose 1st Edition 1921 HB.JPG
AuthorKenneth Sisam (editor)
PublisherClarendon Press, Oxford
Released1921
Formathardcover
Pages281

Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose is a selection of Middle English poetry by Kenneth Sisam, published in 1921. It is notable for its companion volume, A Middle English Vocabulary by J.R.R. Tolkien.

History[edit | edit source]

First edition 1921[edit | edit source]

A Middle English Vocabulary was not published until 1922, but after publication some copies were bound with 1st impressions of Sisam’s book. They were intended to be published together, but Tolkien’s contribution was delayed. Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose was also issued separately without Tolkien's glossary.

There is a possibility of a 1933 impression of this book with a grey coloured dustwrapper rather than the later tan coloured one.

The book was reprinted in 1923, 1924, 1927, and 1933. Copies dated 1925 and 1928 have also been reported.

The copies in a dark red binding include Tolkien’s glossary, whereas copies in a blue coloured binding do not.

The corrigenda printed on the last page of 1922 copies of A Middle English Vocabulary were incorporated into the text of the 1923 impression of Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose.

First edition, 6th impression, 1937[edit | edit source]

The 6th impression corrected previously issued impressions.

Fourteenth Century Verse & Prose was also issued seperately without Tolkien's glossary.

Reprinted in 1944, 1946, 1948 and 1950.

Copies in a dark red binding include Tolkien’s glossary, whereas copies in a blue coloured binding do not. The only exception to this is the 10th impression of 1950, where both were issued in the blue binding. Copies without the glossary were issued in a grey coloured dustwrapper of similar design.

References[edit | edit source]