The Life and Times of John Trevisa, Medieval Scholar

John Trevisa (ca.1342-1402), perhaps the greatest of Middle English prose translators of Latin texts into English, was almost an exact contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. Trevisa was born in Cornwall, studies at Oxford, and was instituted vicar of Berkeley, a position he held until his death.

Over a period of thirty-five years eminent medievalist David Fowler has pieced together an account of Trevisa’s life and times by diligently seeking out documents bearing on his activities and translation...