Literary Traditions

Abstract In 1412 Thomas Hoccleve described Chaucer as the first and only ‘finder’ of English poetry. This chapter takes issue with Hoccleve’s claim by looking to the ways in which, in addition to Chaucer, three great late-fourteenth century poets, writing in English, produced bodies of poetic ‘finding’, or inventio, that were powerfully influential in the fifteenth century. The development, diminution, or decease of each of these traditions is mutually related: as one develops, another diminishes or dies. The four, key fourteenth-century traditions are, as represented by their most accomplished poets, as follows: Chaucer, Gower, Langland, and John Clerk, author of the Destruction of Troy. The influence of these four figures cements English as the principal language of ambitious poetic activity in fifteenth century England. That direct influence extends, with some exceptions, to the middle of the fifteenth century.