Foreword

Summary

This volume has its origin some thirty or more years ago, when one of the objects of setting up D. S. Brewer Ltd was to publish an updated version of the much-valued Sources and Analogues to the Canterbury Tales, edited by Bryan and Dempster, which was by then in need of revision, expansion, and some translation. Since then the value of studying sources and analogues in relation to a text – quite beyond the simple identification of a real or possible source – has been ever more appreciated, while at the same time the bulk of the material available has greatly increased.

After some false starts, the project was taken up by the New Chaucer Society, who asked Professor Robert Correale to serve as General Editor. Delays continued, perhaps inevitable on such a complex and large volume; and some involved felt a more suitable publisher might be found, but on being approached, all in their wisdom declined. The book subsequently fell into some abeyance, until at the Paris Congress of the New Chaucer Society, in 1994, Professor Gila Aloni, then recently awarded her doctorate by the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne), galvanised editors, contributors, and project alike with her enthusiasm. Professor Derek Pearsall agreed to act as Chair of a new committee, and Professor Correale and others were approached again, with Professor Mary Hamel kindly agreeing to act as Associate General Editor. Some scholars, whose work had been started and completed, agreed to re-activate and revise their contributions; others, new to the project, were recruited.

The whole project obviously owes an enormous debt to the contributors, and especially to the principal editors; they have worked selflessly for many years, often carrying a heavy teaching load, and sometimes hindered by ill-health. It is right here also to acknowledge with gratitude the support of their universities (particularly for the American contributors) for an otherwise unfunded project. Many other individuals, indeed too many to name here, have also generously contributed their time and learning; but I would particularly like to thank Professor Jill Mann for her help at a late stage in the project’s development.

It gives me great pleasure to see the volume finally in production.