Printing Pilgrimage

John Urry’s intent to create a fully composed edition of Chaucer’s works means that he was generous with his alterations. His spelling throughout the General Prologue is modernized, but not uniformly. Urry played with the flexible nature of Middle English in his altering the line metre as well as the spelling. Those familiar with Chaucer will notice some drastic changes in lines; removing some lines entirely or adding in others at his own discretion. I claim Urry as the over-arching editor, though this was published after his death. His initiating its composition as well as including his generous portrait facing the Title Page, asserts that it is his edition. His spellings in the Prologue are modernized, expanded, and rearranged. Also, in an attempt to maintain the archaic nature of Chaucer’s works, Urry has implemented the use of “ð” (eth).

Humorously enough, Urry has even taken liberties with the spelling of “Geoffrey.” Though on the initial Title Page and the Title Page of Chaucer’s life, The spelling has remained Geoffrey. It is only once The Canterbury Tales is beginning that this new spelling emerges.