The Routledge Research Companion to John Gower reviews the most current scholarship on the late medieval poet and opens doors purposefully to research areas of the future. It is divided into three parts. The first part, "Working theories: medieval and modern," is devoted to the main theoretical aspects that frame Gower’s work, ranging from his use of medieval law, rhetoric, theology, and religious attitudes, to approaches incorporating gender and queer studies. The second part, "Things and places: material cultures," examines the cultural locations of the author, not only from geographical and political perspectives, or in scientific and economic context, but also in the transmission of his poetry through the materiality of the text and its reception. "Polyvocality: text and language," the third part, focuses on Gower’s trilingualism, his approach to history, and narratological and intertextual aspects of his works. The Routledge Research Companion to John Gower is an essential resource for scholars and students of Gower and of Middle English literature, history, and culture generally.

Table of Contents:
CONTENTS List of Figures Introduction: Gower Scholarship Then and Now PART I - WORKING THEORIES: MEDIEVAL AND MODERN Gower and Theory: Old Books, New Matters Jonathan Hsy, The George Washington University Gower and Gender María Bullón-Fernández, Seattle University Gower and Rhetoric Kim Zarins, California State University at Sacramento Gower’s Religions R.F. Yeager, University of West Florida John Gower and the Law: Legal Theory and Practice Conrad van Dyk, Concordia University of Edmonton PART II – THINGS AND PLACES: MATERIAL CULTURES John Gower’s Manuscripts in Middle English Joe Fredell, Southeastern Louisiana University Gower’s French Manuscripts Craig E. Bertolet, Auburn University Gower’s Latin Manuscripts Stephanie Batkie, University of the South Iberian Manuscripts of Gower’s Works Ana Sáez-Hidalgo, University of Valladolid Illuminations in Gower’s Manuscripts Joyce Coleman, University of Oklahoma Gower’s Southwark Martha Carlin, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Gower’s Courts Matthew Giancarlo, University of Kentucky Gower, Business, and Economy Roger Ladd, University of North Carolina at Pembroke Gower and Science Russell A. Peck, University of Rochester Gower’s Reception, 1400–1700 Robert R. Edwards, Pennsylvania State University Iberian Gower Clara Pascual-Argente, Rhodes College PART III – POLYVOCALITY: TEXT AND LANGUAGE Gower’s Languages Tim Machan, University of Notre Dame Voices and Narrators Matthew W. Irvin, University of the South Gower and the Forms of History Steele Nowlin, Hampden-Sydney College Gower’s Classicizing Vocations Andrew Galloway, Cornell University Gower and Romance Corinne Saunders, Durham University Gower and Chaucer Brian Gastle, Western Carolina University The French Works: The Ballades Peter Nicholson, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa The French Works: Mirour de l’Omme Craig E. Bertolet, Auburn University English Works Yoshiko Kobayashi, University of Tokyo The Latin Works Robert Meindl, California State University, Sacramento Notes on Contributors