The Gests of King Alexander of Macedon. Two Middle-English Alliterative Fragments, Alexander A and Alexander B. Edited, with the Latin Sources Parallel-Orosius, and the "Historia de Preliis," J2 Recension-with Introduction, Notes, Appendices, and Index by Francis Peabody Magoun

Published in 1929 by the Harvard University Press, this scholarly volume was meticulously prepared by Francis Peabody Magoun, a prominent medievalist and professor at Harvard. The work serves as a critical edition of two distinct Middle English alliterative poems concerning the life of Alexander the Great, known in literary circles as Alexander A and Alexander B. By presenting these fragments alongside their Latin source texts—specifically passages from Orosius’s Historiae adversum paganos and the J2 recension of the Historia de Preliis—Magoun provided scholars with a crucial framework for understanding how classical historiography was translated and adapted into vernacular English literature during the medieval period.

The design and editorial approach reflect the rigorous philological standards of the early 20th-century American academy. Magoun’s work was intended to bridge the gap between historical source material and literary adaptation, offering readers a comprehensive view of the Alexander legend’s evolution. Upon its release, the volume was well-received within specialized medievalist circles for its thorough annotations, appendices, and indices, which helped establish the text as an essential reference for students of Middle English alliterative verse and the enduring cultural impact of the Alexander romance.