The Book of Old English Ballads: Poetry Guide and Free Edition
The Book of Old English Ballads: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Book of Old English Ballads is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Edwards, George Wharton (1859–1950).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Book of Old English Ballads" by George Wharton Edwards is a collection of traditional ballads likely compiled during the late 19th century. This anthology captures the essence of old English folk poetry, showcasing various themes such as love, tragedy, and adventure while highlighting notable historical and legendary figures. The collection includes famous ballads like "Chevy Chace" and stories surrounding the iconic outlaw Robin Hood, revealing the rich narrative tapestry of English culture. The opening of the anthology sets the stage with an introduction reflecting on the nature of popular ballads, emphasizing their objective storytelling and cultural significance. It highlights the simplicity and directness of the narratives, contrasting them with more modern, subjective poetry. The introduction underscores the ballads’ community origins, expressing that they resonate with the shared experiences of the people. Following this context, the first ballad presented is "Chevy Chace," describing a fierce deer-hunting contest that escalates into a tragic battle between English and Scottish nobles, showcasing themes of valor and loss that are prevalent throughout the collection.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Book of Old English Ballads
- Author credits: Edwards, George Wharton (1859–1950)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Ballads, English -- England -- Texts
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- Category: Classics of Literature
- Category: Poetry
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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