The Pore Caitif

The Pore Caitif is a popular, late-fourteenth-century, carefully crafted compilation of biblical, catechetical, devotional and mystical material drawing on patristic and medieval sources, in Middle English, consisting of a Prologue and a variable number of sections of differing lengths according to each manuscript, assembled probably by a clerical writer for an increasing literate lay readership/audience.The Prologue sets out the reason for writing and its overall structure as an integrated ladder leading the reader to heaven. The text begins with basic catechetical instruction modelled on John Peckham’s Lambeth Constitutions of 1281 before continuing with more affective material, meditating, for example, on the Passion, and concludes with a treatise on virginity, leading the reader from an active to a contemplative way of life.

The Pore Caitif was written about the time the Lollards were starting to propagate their programme of universal vernacular education. The writer believes in the need to educate his readers in the truths necessary for salvation without necessarily subscribing to Lollard positions.   

Although referred to in a number of secondary articles and books, and serving as the focus of three doctoral dissertations, an edition of the work was not published until 2019. Penkett's publication is the first Modern English translation based on the 2019 publication and is in a readily accessible format for the modern reader, accompanied by a series of ground-breaking essays.

‘Preface’
‘Acknowledgements’
‘Abbreviations and Short Titles’

Part One: Introductory Essays

1. ‘The Pore Caitif and its Historical and Geographical Contexts’ in which the text’s historical and institutional contexts, purpose, date, and localization are examined.
2. ‘The Pore Caitif and its Literary Context’ focuses on the Middle English traditions that lie behind the text, and the milieu to which it belongs, in addition to scrutinising late medieval English translations, adaptations, and compilations.
3. ‘The Poor Wretch Himself and His Reason(s) for Writing’ examines authorship, the contents of The Pore Caitif, the form of the work as a whole, the construction of each section, the relationship of the Prologue and fourteen treatises to one another in subject matter, the style of writing of the text, and why The Pore Caitif may or may not be regarded as a Lollard text.
4. ‘The Poor Wretch’s Readers and Audiences’ explores the textual history of The Pore Caitif in the fifteenth century and later.
5. ‘This Translation’ sets out the procedure of this translation, looking at matters such as Middle English, Latin, Scriptural References, Non-Biblical References, layout and various typographical considerations.

Part Two: Translation

Prologue
1. Credo
2. The Ten Commandments
3. The Lord’s Prayer
4. The Counsel of Christ
5. Of Virtuous Patience
6. Of Temptation
7. The Charter of Heaven
8. The Horse or Armour of Heaven
9. Love of Jesus
10. Desire of Jesus
11. Of Meekness
12. The Effect of Man’s Will
13. Of Active Life and Of Contemplative Life
14. The Mirror of Chastity

‘Notes’
‘Bibliography’ of manuscripts and theses, Primary and Secondary Sources
‘Index of Scriptural References’
‘Index of Non-Biblical References’
‘General Index’