Introduction:

William Caxton was the first printer in England, as well as the first to print in the English language. Caxton was unusual among early printers in producing so many books in his own native language at a time when Latin was the international language of medieval Europe.
He seems to have learnt printing originally in order to satisfy demands for copies of his own translation of a French courtly romance. His first books were printed in Bruges, where he had been living as a merchant. He returned to London in 1476.

Caxton was more interested in text than decoration. Consequently his books are often plain, with little embellishment. This is his translation of a popular collection of saints’ lives, illustrated by a number of unsophisticated woodcuts made by an anonymous English artist. Here Judith murders the enemy general Holofernes and escapes with his head in a sack.

Jacobus de Voragine. The golden legende. 
London: William Caxton, after November 1483.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, composed in the late 14th century, remains one of the great works of English literature. Richard Pynson’s edition of 1492 was the third to be printed, following two editions printed by Caxton.
Pynson based his text on Caxton’s second edition, and also followed him in using woodcut illustrations. The eccentric painted initials were completed at a much later date in the 19th century.

Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury tales. 
London: Richard Pynson, about 1492.

Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, composed in the late 14th century, remains one of the great works of English literature. Richard Pynson’s edition of 1492 was the third to be printed, following two editions printed by Caxton.
Pynson based his text on Caxton’s second edition, and also followed him in using woodcut illustrations. The eccentric painted initials were completed at a much later date in the 19th century.

Geoffrey Chaucer. The Canterbury tales. 
London: Richard Pynson, about 1492.