In brief
Two Cambridge scholars argue that correcting a simple mistake could change our understanding of Geoffrey Chaucer's references to this forgotten myth.
In the 14th century, readers familiar with Geoffrey Chaucer's works would have understood his references to the 'Tale of Wade' without question. Regarded as one of the seminal poets in the English language, Chaucer alludes to this older poem in two of his notable pieces, but the tale itself has eluded scholars for centuries, existing only as a fragment within a 12th-century sermon that was rediscovered in the 1890s. The solitary lines of this fragment left literary experts grappling with its meaning. However, newfound insights from two academics at Cambridge University, James Wade and Seb Falk, suggest that a mere typographical error by a scribe may unveil the mystery of this almost-lost tale. The prevailing interpretation of the fragment depicted Wade as a man contending with elves and other supernatural entities—suggesting a narrative akin to Beowulf's battles against mythical monsters. This view seemed odd for the romantic contexts in which Chaucer references the tale—drawing from works like "Troilus and Criseyde" and tales of younger brides.Their recent publication in “The Review of English Studies” proposes a groundbreaking angle: what was thought to be “elves” in the text could actually stem from a scribe’s error, where the intended word was “wolves.” With this correction, Wade would emerge as a character intertwined in a chivalric realm of valor and courtly love, aligning more closely with the themes prevalent in Chaucer's universe. This discovery not only reframes our understanding of the 'Tale of Wade' but also invites us to re-examine similar texts that have been clouded by ancient miscommunication.
