Definition: The Early English Text Society (EETS) was a group of scholars who aimed to preserve and promote the earliest surviving records of English literature, including poetry, prose, and literary criticism.
This movement was founded by John Wycliffe in 1530 when he published the first edition of his translation of the Bible. The EETS began by collecting manuscripts and other written materials from libraries around England, as well as copies of Shakespeare's plays and poems, to create a collection that could be used for teaching English literature.
As the movement progressed, it became increasingly important to preserve and make accessible this material in order to provide scholars with new insights into early English culture and language. This led to the establishment of several institutions dedicated to preserving and making available these materials, including the National Library of England (now known as the British Library), which has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The EETS sought to do this by founding the Society for Promoting the Study of Early English Texts in 1530, which was eventually reorganized as the Early English Text Society. Today, the Society continues its mission and publishes articles on early English literature, with a focus on poetry, prose, and criticism.
The word "Early English Text Society" is an acronym that refers to a group of scholars who were dedicated to preserving and promoting the earliest surviving records of English literature, including poetry, prose, and literary criticism.
Early English Text Society