Here is the fascinating mirror of an age that was cruel and charitable, violent and courtly, bawdy and devout. Chronicle, burlesque, ballad, fable, debate, lyric, legend, lore, and drama follow one another in rich variety—“huge cloudy symbols of a high romance.” In this comprehensive collection, editor Thomas J. Garbáty makes accessible to students the landmarks of English prose, poetry, and drama for the years 1100 through 1500. For the most part, these vital works are presented complete in Middle English. Students are aided by an extensive system of margin glosses, supplemented by footnotes, a brief linguistic introduction to each work, and an authoritative General Introduction that places every selection within a medieval perspective.