Towards an Edition of Troilus and Criseyde: The Work, Authorial Versions, and Digital Tools

This dissertation explores the textual tradition of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde using phylogenetic methods. It has three main goals: (1) to show that phylogenetic methods can illuminate the relationships within the textual tradition, (2) to challenge the “three-version” theory that has influenced Troilus scholarship for over a century, and (3) to rethink how we conceptualize literary works and the role of editors. By addressing these issues, the study engages with the broader debate on what constitutes a “work.” The analysis reveals that most textual variations in Troilus can be explained by the copying process, therefore questioning the existence of distinct authorial versions of Troilus posited by previous editors. Additionally, this dissertation advocates for the genealogical method as a valuable tool for Troilus. The findings suggest that phylogenetic analysis can offer a comprehensive understanding of the poem’s textual tradition. Ultimately, this study provides a foundation for future editions of Troilus and Criseyde, proposing an evidence-based approach to editing that reconsiders the relationship between manuscript tradition and literary interpretation.