Middle English Literature

📚Middle English Literature Unit 12 – Caxton's Press: Early Modern English Begins

William Caxton introduced the printing press to England in the late 15th century, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge. As an English merchant and writer, he set up the first press at Westminster in 1476, marking the beginning of Early Modern English. Caxton's press printed the first books in English, including works by Chaucer and Malory. This innovation helped standardize the language, making literature more accessible and affordable. The printing press's impact on language, literacy, and culture laid the foundation for future intellectual movements.

Who Was William Caxton?

  • English merchant, diplomat, writer, and printer who introduced the printing press to England in the late 15th century
  • Born in Kent, England, around 1422 and died in 1491
  • Apprenticed as a mercer (cloth merchant) in London and later moved to Bruges, Belgium, where he became a successful businessman
  • Served as the Governor of the English Nation in Bruges, representing the interests of English merchants abroad
  • Developed an interest in literature and translation while in Bruges, translating several French works into English
  • Learned the art of printing in Cologne, Germany, and set up a printing press in Bruges around 1474
  • Returned to England in 1476 and established the first printing press in England at Westminster

The Arrival of the Printing Press

  • Caxton brought the printing press to England in 1476, setting up his press at Westminster Abbey
  • The printing press had been invented by Johannes Gutenberg in Germany around 1440
  • Gutenberg's invention used movable type, which allowed for the mass production of books and other printed materials
  • Prior to the printing press, books were handwritten manuscripts, which were time-consuming and expensive to produce
  • The printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge and ideas, making books more widely available and affordable
  • Caxton's press was the first to print books in English, contributing to the standardization and spread of the English language
  • The arrival of the printing press in England marked the beginning of the Early Modern English period

Caxton's Press: How It Worked

  • Caxton's printing press used movable type, similar to Gutenberg's invention
  • Movable type consisted of individual letters, punctuation marks, and symbols cast in metal (usually lead alloy)
  • The type was arranged in a frame called a forme, which was then inked and pressed onto paper using a screw press
  • The process allowed for the rapid production of multiple copies of a text, far faster than handwritten manuscripts
  • Caxton employed assistants and apprentices to help with the various stages of the printing process, such as typesetting, inking, and binding
  • The press initially used paper imported from the Continent, but later Caxton established a paper mill in England to produce his own paper
  • Caxton's press produced a wide range of texts, including religious works, literary translations, and legal documents

First Books Printed in English

  • Caxton printed the first book in English, "The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye," in 1473 while still in Bruges
  • The book was a translation of a French work by Raoul Lefevre, which Caxton had translated himself
  • Upon returning to England, Caxton printed the first dated book in English, "The Dictes and Sayings of the Philosophers," in 1477
  • Other notable works printed by Caxton include:
    • Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" (1478)
    • Sir Thomas Malory's "Le Morte d'Arthur" (1485)
    • Aesop's Fables (1484)
  • Caxton's press also printed religious texts, such as the "Sarum Missal" (a liturgical book) and "The Golden Legend" (a collection of saints' lives)
  • By printing these works in English, Caxton helped to promote and standardize the English language

Impact on Language Standardization

  • The printing press played a significant role in the standardization of the English language
  • Before the printing press, English varied greatly in spelling, grammar, and vocabulary from region to region
  • Caxton's press helped to establish a more uniform written English by consistently using certain spellings and grammatical forms
  • The wide distribution of printed books exposed readers to a more standardized form of English
  • Caxton's own translations and editorial choices influenced the development of English
    • He often chose to use English words over French or Latin equivalents
    • He helped to popularize certain spellings and grammatical forms
  • The standardization process was gradual, and regional variations persisted, but the printing press laid the foundation for a more unified English language

Caxton's Influence on Literature

  • Caxton's press made literature more accessible to a wider audience, as printed books were cheaper and more widely available than manuscripts
  • He printed works by major English writers, such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Sir Thomas Malory, helping to preserve and disseminate their works
  • Caxton's own translations and editorial decisions shaped the development of English literature
    • His translations introduced new genres and styles to English readers
    • He sometimes altered texts to suit the tastes of his audience or to reflect his own views
  • The printing press encouraged the growth of literacy and the demand for vernacular literature in English
  • Caxton's press also printed practical texts, such as legal documents and devotional works, which had a broad impact on English society
  • The increased availability of books led to the growth of private libraries and the emergence of a reading public

Cultural and Social Effects

  • The printing press had far-reaching cultural and social effects in England
  • It contributed to the spread of literacy and knowledge, as more people had access to books and other printed materials
  • The increased availability of books led to the growth of private libraries and the emergence of a reading public
  • The printing press facilitated the spread of ideas and information, contributing to intellectual and cultural exchange
  • It played a role in the dissemination of religious ideas, particularly during the Protestant Reformation
    • Printed Bibles and religious tracts helped to spread Protestant beliefs
    • The Catholic Church also used the printing press to counter Protestant ideas
  • The printing press had an impact on the English language, education, and the development of a national identity
  • It also influenced the development of new forms of literature, such as pamphlets and newspapers

Legacy and Modern Relevance

  • William Caxton's introduction of the printing press to England had a lasting impact on the development of the English language and literature
  • His work laid the foundation for the standardization of English and the growth of vernacular literature
  • The printing press revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge and ideas, paving the way for the Renaissance, the Scientific Revolution, and the Enlightenment
  • Caxton's legacy is still celebrated today, with a memorial in Westminster Abbey and a plaque marking the site of his press
  • The impact of the printing press on language, literature, and society is still relevant in the modern world
    • The invention of digital technologies has similarly revolutionized the way we communicate and share information
    • The standardization of language and the development of global English have been influenced by the legacy of the printing press
  • Studying Caxton's work and the early history of printing provides insight into the complex relationship between technology, language, and culture


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.