A simplified retelling of some of the Reynard the Fox stories, based on the William Caxton English edition. With color illustrations.

The rude but quaint apologue of "Reynard the Fox" is, perhaps, one of the most marvellous books in any language. It appears to have been originally written in old Dutch nearly six centuries ago; but who the author was is not known. ... The first English version was produced by the celebrated Caxton in 1481, in the twenty-first year of the reign of Edward IV, and is still one of the greatest curiosities left us by our earliest typographer. It was made, some say, from the old Dutch "Reynaert die Vos," which was printed by Cheraert de Leen; but it is more probable that Caxton translated from a manuscript, of which there were several extant. ... While turning the book into words of one syllable, I have endeavoured, as far as it was practicable, to preserve the terseness of expression, the quaintness of style, and the rustic colloquialisms, which are so characteristic of "Reynard the Fox." Although specially meant for the young, the book is no less intended for those of riper years, as showing how rich in monosyllables is our noble English tongue which is destined to be the language of the civilised world - and how such words can admit of being artistically combined so as to convey ideas even of a complicated nature with perspicacity and precision. - [Author]

Language: English