On 27th November, the English Department was delighted to host Dr Laura Cleaver for the first of this academic year's Literary Lectures. 

Dr Cleaver, a medieval manuscripts specialist from the Institute of English Studies at the University of London, gave an enriching talk on the history and legacy of Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales", from the early illuminated Ellesmere manuscript and William Caxton's printed editions, through to the digitised form of the Ellesmere, now held at Huntington Library in California. In addition to focusing on the production of the physical manuscripts, Dr Cleaver also focused on the societal and cultural factors that influenced the production and ownership of Chaucer's works over time.

For an audience comprising our Sixth Form A Level English Literature students, as well as those from Hampton School, together with teaching staff from both schools, Dr Cleaver's talk was a purposeful reminder of Chaucer's legacy and the significance of the written word as physical artefact.

By Mr Li - Head of English