The poetry we call 'alliterative' is recorded in English from the seventh century until the sixteenth, and includes Caedmon's 'Hymn', Beowulf, Sir Gawain and th

A revisionary account of the 900-year-long history of a major poetic tradition, explored through metrics and literary history.

This book explores the history and development of English alliterative meter, and considers why the form has remained so enigmatic.

Essays bringing out the crucial importance of philology for understanding Old English texts.