Specimens of the Early English Metrical Romances, chiefly written during the early part of the Fourteenth Century; to which is prefixed an Historical Introduction, intended to illustrate the Rise and Progress of Romantic Composition in France and England.

ELLIS, George.

Edité par London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1805

A propos de cet article

First edition, in a pleasing contemporary binding. Ellis's influential anthology of Middle English romances, collected in form of extracts and paraphrases, was the most extensive survey to date and played a major role in reviving the interest for this literature among the reading public. In his Specimens of the Early English Metrical Romances, George Ellis (1753-1815) was remarkably the first academic to focus on the medieval romances proper, and the first to research, recognize and list their Armorican, Celtic, Scandinavian, and Eastern sources. After an introduction on the origins and developments of the genre, Ellis examines the romances relating to King Arthur and Charlemagne, the Saxon and Anglo-Norman romances, those of "oriental origin" (such as the "History of the Seven Wise Masters"), and lastly a number of "miscellaneous" romances (including the famous French "Florice and Blauncheflour" and the Scottish "Roswald and Lillian"). Ellis was a friend of the antiquary Francis Douce and of Walter Scott, who together provided most of the unedited manuscripts and early prints which formed the basis for the present work. Douce also contributed with a brief essay on Petrus Alphonsi's Disciplina clericalis, a collection of early 12th-century fables and tales, which Ellis included as an appendix. Following publication, Scott praised the "wit and elegance" of Ellis's Specimens, which would "encourage many a gentle reader to attempt the originals, who would before as soon thought of wearing the dress, as of studying the poems of his ancestors" (Edinburgh Review, January 1806). 3 vols, octavo (184 x 110 mm). Contemporary tree calf, spines with raised bands, compartments richly gilt, green morocco labels, covers, board edges, and turn-ins ruled in gilt, marbled endpapers, edges sprinkled blue, green silk bookmarkers. Early 19th-century armorial bookplate to front pastedowns, with manuscript shelf mark above, of Kinnaird, most likely Charles, eighth Lord Kinnaird (1780-1826), Scottish politician, and son of the prominent art collector George Kinnaird (1754-1805). A couple of corners gently bumped with a touch of wear, a few light scratches to covers, head of rear cover of vol. I sunned, the bindings overall remaining bright and attractive, foxing to endpapers, edges and very occasionally to contents in vols. I and III, otherwise internally clean. A very good, wide-margined set.

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Détails bibliographiques

• Titre: Specimens of the Early English Metrical Romances, chiefly written during the early part of the Fourteenth Century; to which is prefixed an Historical Introduction, intended to illustrate the Rise and Progress of Romantic Composition in France and England.
• Éditeur: London: Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, 1805
• Édition: Edition originale