Title of Product:

Online Gallery, Landmarks in Printing: Caxton’s Chaucer

Image of the product:

Name of Author(s): British Library

Name of Producer: British Library

Language/s of Product: English

Website of the product: www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/themes/landmarks/caxtonschaucer.html

Target Group: General public, Chaucer Scholars, teachers, students 11+

Overall Evaluation: excellent

Objectives & Structure:
The site provides a clear set of answers to a series of basic questions about Caxton and his work.
The first paragraph is illustrated with one printable image of The Canterbury Tales: The knight, from the Prologue. William Caxton, Westminster, 1483.
There are a set of links available that are detailed below.

Description of contents:
In addition to the illustrated text, the site has the following links:
• A manuscript version of the Canterbury Tales
• Comparisons between Caxton’s 2 editions of Chaucer’s work (already reviewed in this database: www.bl.uk/treasures/caxton/homepage.html)
• ‘Showcase’ – an opportunity to draw comparisons with William Morris and the 19th century Kelmscott Chaucer.

Evaluation and Comments:

Description of how the website can be used with the students::
The site could provide students with a clear understanding of Caxton’s work and place it into the historical and literary context of 15th century. It could stimulate individual research or group discussion and be used at a variety of levels.
The link to William Morris and the Kelmscott Chaucer would allow for an interesting comparative study

Comments::
An essential site for teachers or students.

Evaluation Date: 30.06.08

Name of teacher: Sam Tinkler, Louise Saunders

Name of School: Southfield Technology College

Country: UK

Subjects Taught: Art/English