Norman Blake: A Legacy of English Philology and Scholarship
The study of the English language and its evolution requires a meticulous approach to textual criticism—the science of analyzing manuscripts to determine the original form of a text. Few scholars have contributed as extensively to this field as Norman Blake. From his early work on Old Norse sagas to his definitive studies on the printing press and medieval poetry, Blake's career was defined by a commitment to accuracy and a willingness to challenge established academic norms.
Early Academic Contributions
Blake's scholarly journey began at Magdalen College, where his finishing project in 1959 involved editing the Jómsvíkinga saga, a work of Old Norse literature. This edition was subsequently published in 1962. While serving at Liverpool University, Blake expanded his scope to include Old English and Middle Dutch texts, publishing an edition of the Old English poem The Phoenix in 1964, followed by a 1970 edition of William Caxton's translation of the Middle Dutch version of The History of Reynard the Fox.
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Redefining William Caxton
By the late 1960s, Blake's research focused on two primary pillars: the history of the English language (specifically the late medieval and early modern periods) and the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. This focus led him to a deep investigation of William Caxton, the man credited with introducing the printing press to England.
In 1969, Blake published the monograph Caxton and His World. This work established him as a leading authority on the subject by challenging the traditional view of Caxton. Rather than viewing Caxton primarily as a craftsman printer, Blake argued that he was predominantly a merchant and entrepreneur who operated within a broader commercial context. This perspective sparked a lifelong academic pursuit, resulting in more than 40 books and essays dedicated to Caxton.
The Canterbury Tales and the Hengwrt Manuscript
One of the most significant and debated aspects of Blake's career was his work on The Canterbury Tales. In 1980, he published an edition based on the Hengwrt manuscript. At the time, most scholars relied on the Ellesmere manuscript; consequently, Blake's insistence that the Hengwrt manuscript—being the oldest—should take precedence was initially met with criticism.
Rather than retreating, Blake spent the next 15 years publishing a series of books and articles to augment his argument and demonstrate the linguistic and historical importance of the Hengwrt text.
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The Canterbury Tales Project and Digital Humanities
From 1994 to 2000, Blake served as the head of the Canterbury Tales Project. Initially based at the University of Sheffield and later moving to De Montfort University in 1998, the project received funding from the British Academy and the Leverhulme Trust.
The project's ambitious goal was to digitize approximately 80 manuscripts and early printed versions of The Canterbury Tales to illustrate the textual tradition and the reshaping of the English language. The project achieved the following:
- Transcription of eight full manuscripts and significant portions of seven others.
- Complete transcription of all witnesses of The Franklin's Tale, totaling roughly 330,000 words.
- Release of The Wife of Bath's Prologue, The General Prologue, and the Hengwrt Manuscript on CD-ROM.
In 2011, the Digital Humanities Institute of the University of Sheffield furthered this legacy by developing online diplomatic transcriptions—exact letter-for-letter copies of the original manuscripts—known as the Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales.
Key Facts
- Primary Focus: History of the English language and the works of William Caxton and Geoffrey Chaucer.
- Major Theory: Posited that William Caxton was an entrepreneur and merchant rather than just a printer.
- Textual Advocacy: Championed the Hengwrt manuscript as the primary source for The Canterbury Tales.
- Digital Legacy: Led the Canterbury Tales Project, resulting in the transcription of 330,000 words and the creation of the Norman Blake Editions.
- Prolific Output: Authored over 40 works specifically regarding William Caxton.
Summary of Major Works and Contributions
| Year | Work/Project | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Jómsvíkinga saga | Early edition of an Old Norse saga. |
| 1969 | Caxton and His World | Redefined Caxton as a merchant/entrepreneur. |
| 1980 | The Canterbury Tales (Hengwrt) | Promoted the oldest manuscript over the Ellesmere version. |
| 1992 | The Cambridge History of the English Language | Served as editor and contributor to Volume 2. |
| 1994–2000 | Canterbury Tales Project | Digitized textual traditions of Chaucer's work. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Norman Blake's main contribution to the study of William Caxton?
Blake challenged the traditional view of Caxton as a craftsman printer, arguing instead that he was primarily a merchant and entrepreneur. He published over 40 books and essays to support this thesis.
Why was Blake's 1980 edition of The Canterbury Tales controversial?
It was controversial because Blake advocated for the use of the Hengwrt manuscript, the oldest known version, as the primary text, whereas most other scholars at the time relied on the Ellesmere manuscript.
What was the purpose of the Canterbury Tales Project?
The project aimed to make approximately 80 manuscripts and early printed versions of the work electronically available to help scholars understand the textual tradition and the evolution of the English language.
What are the Norman Blake Editions of The Canterbury Tales?
These are online diplomatic transcriptions of eight manuscripts prepared by the Canterbury Tales Project, developed by the Digital Humanities Institute of the University of Sheffield in 2011.
Which other academic publications did Norman Blake contribute to?
Blake contributed articles to the Lexikon des Mittelalters (a German encyclopaedia) and the Dictionary of the Middle Ages, and he was an editor for the second volume of The Cambridge History of the English Language.