The most significant aspect of Reynard the fox in medieval England is what little impact his story had on the literature of the period; and even in the art field the Reynard story is hardly a frequent feature in manuscript illumination or carving. It is only with the publication of William Caxton’s Reynard the Fox in 1481 that a full version of his story is found in Middle English. However, there are indications that Reynard’s exploits were known in England, and it is appropriate to consider first those few traces that he left before Caxton’s time. In what follows it should be borne in mind that parts of the Reynard story may have been known in French or Latin versions in medieval England and that representations of foxes and other animals which owe their symbolism to the Reynard stories are found in various forms. - [Author]

Language: English