...as is well known, Caxton translated a version of Reynaert into English which he printed in 1481. Consequently Caxton’s translation has been seized upon by Dutch scholars as an important witness in their attempt to elucidate the textual history of Van den Vos Reynaert. The results so achieved, which have important bearings on such problems as when Caxton started translating and how he went about his translations, have perhaps been accepted too readily by other scholars both in England and elsewhere. In my opinion the reasoning behind Muller’s arguments has not always been fully appreciated and it is time that the whole problem of Caxton’s source was reexamined. But before a start is made on a discussion of this sort, it is well to be clear about the relationship and probable dates of the various manuscript and printed versions of the Reynard story in the Low Countries. - [Author]

Language: English

DOI: 10.7227/BJRL.46.2.3