Scottish website sheds light on English language
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A remarkable manuscript that gives a unique insight into the language and literature of England in the 1330s has been made available on the internet by the National Library of Scotland. The 'Auchinleck Manuscript' - named after its first known owner, Lord Auchinleck - is widely regarded as the most important collection of English literary texts written before Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400), who is considered England's first great poet. Donated to the Library's predecessor in 1744, it contains 44 Middle English texts and provides a rare snapshot of the kind of literature and language that Chaucer grew up with in London. |
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Access to the online facsimile of the entire manuscript will benefit those interested in history who are keen to see this rare document first hand, from schoolchildren to high-level researchers. Accompanied by a transcript and supported by a search facility, it offers a chance to study the historical development of the English language. Our new web feature is a collaborative venture with London University's Centre for Editing Lives and Letters at Queen Mary and Sheffield University.
For more, read our press release, or see the Auchinleck Manuscript at http://digital.nls.uk/auchinleck/ .
6 July 2003