Chaucer's Works, Volume 6 — Introduction, Glossary, and Indexes — Context and Discussion

Skeat's Phonological Framework

Skeat devotes more than fifty sections of the introduction to the sounds of Chaucer's English. He distinguishes open and close ō and ē, traces their development from Old English, and provides extensive word-lists to support his claims. For example, he notes that 'long and short open o' can be studied through rimes in the Minor Poems, the Legend of Good Women, and the Canterbury Tales. His analysis is grounded in the evidence of rime: he examines pairs like 'broughte' riming with 'nought' and discusses apparent exceptions. Skeat also addresses the non-riming of -y and -y-ë, a feature that helps date and authenticate poems. The introduction thus functions as a practical guide to reading Chaucer aloud, with phonetic symbols and an 'Example of pronunciation' included.

The Glossarial Index as a Lexicon

The glossary, titled 'Glossarial Index,' is the most substantial part of the volume. Each entry gives the headword, part of speech, a brief definition, and one or more line references. For instance, 'Mowe, s. grimace (see note), T. iv. 7; Mowes, pl. HF. 1806; I 258.' The entries often include variant spellings: 'Muchel, adj. much, great, A 2352, B 2582, ... also Mochel, Michel.' Skeat also supplies etymological notes, as in 'Moysoun, s. crop, growth, R. 1677. O. F. moison; from Lat. acc. mensionem.' The glossary covers not only common words but also rare terms like 'Mullok, s. a heap of refuse' and 'Muwet, the same as Mewet.' It is designed for the reader who encounters unfamiliar vocabulary while reading Chaucer's works.

Editorial Method and Textual Notes

Skeat's introduction explains his editorial principles. He states that the edition is 'edited, from numerous manuscripts' and acknowledges obligations to earlier editors such as Thomas Tyrwhitt, Thomas Wright, and others. The volume includes a table of contents listing sections on the Romaunt of the Rose, the Minor Poems, Boethius, Troilus, the House of Fame, the Legend of Good Women, the Astrolabe, and the Canterbury Tales. Skeat also discusses 'Aesthetic criticism' and 'The Dialect of Chaucer,' noting Kenticisms. The textual notes are sparse in this volume, but the glossary occasionally includes cross-references to Skeat's notes, as in 'Mowe, s. grimace (see note).' The volume thus serves as a companion to the preceding five volumes of the edition.

Readers using this volume alongside Skeat's text of Chaucer's works will find that the glossary and introduction clarify many linguistic and textual puzzles. The phonological sections reward careful study, especially for those interested in Middle English pronunciation. Because the volume is a reference work, it can be consulted piecemeal: the glossary for specific words, the introduction for broader patterns. Skeat's meticulous cross-referencing and his attention to variant forms make this an enduring resource for Chaucerian scholarship.

There’s a peculiar comfort in Skeat’s glossary, those long trails of citations that feel like footsteps through old grass. It makes me think of how we piece together meaning—word by word, clue by clue. Something in that quiet patience lingers when I recall A Legend of Goat Island — A Reader’s Guide, a book that also asks you to look closely, slowly, and perhaps find a different kind of treasure.