Walter W. Skeat Books

The pioneering work on the roots & origins of the English language. The remarkable scholarship of Walter W. Skeat (1835-1912) was instrumental in the revival of the great works of early English literature, & he inspired later philologists & lexicographers. Skeat's astonishing detective work into the origins & development of the worlds most widely used language provides an unsurpassed guide to its flexibility & richness. This edition of his larger Etymological Dictionary is not a mere abridgment, but was entirely rewritten by Skeat.

Focusing on the essential principles of English etymology, this concise book presents a general overview aimed at readers seeking a deeper understanding of word origins. It highlights key concepts and practices necessary for anyone claiming familiarity with the subject, making it a valuable resource for linguists and language enthusiasts alike.

The first of its kind in Piers Plowman studies, this edition aims to establish the archetypal text of the B-version of the poem. The editors claim that this can be determined with certainty in the majority of lines by examining the relationship between the best copies of the alpha and beta families of the B-version stemma.

This book presents the classic work of William Langland, The Vision of Piers the Plowman, in a modern English translation by Walter W. Skeat. The Vision of Piers the Plowman is one of the most important works of medieval English literature, blending religious allegory and social satire with vignettes of everyday life. Skeat's translation makes this seminal work accessible to modern readers.