Reynard, Renart, Reinaert and Other Foxes in Medieval England: The Iconographic Evidence - Hardcover

Varty, Kenneth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 905356375X ISBN 13: 9789053563755

Publisher: Amsterdam University Press, 1999

Synopsis

Struck by the richness of medieval animal epic on the Continent and its paucity in England until Caxton's translation from the Dutch, the author went in search of iconographic evidence of that epic in pre-Caxton England. His findings constitute a new study of the illustration of English fox lore and Reynard the Fox stories during the Middle Ages. The book also includes a brief survey of developments in post-medieval times.

It emerges that the fictional foxes of England may have descended from French Renarts, who later assimilated traits of Dutch Reinaerts. With over 250 illustrations, many of recently discovered material, the book is divided into sections dealing with typical episodes (e.g. the fox's trial for rape, his "death" and "resurrection") as well as the ongoing fortunes of Wynkyn de Worde's 1495 cycle of woodcuts, which were clearly inspired by those of the Haarlem Master.

About this title

About the Author

Kenneth Varty is an Honorary professorial Research Fellow and Emeritus of the University of Glasgow. He founded the International Reynard Society (for the study of Beast Epic, Fable and Fabliau) in 1975. He is also Chairman of the Editorial Board of Reinardus, the Yearbook of that Society.

Edition details

• Publisher: Amsterdam University Press
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 905356375X
• ISBN 13: 9789053563755
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 334