ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
No endeavour of this kind would be possible without the work of previous editors and critics, and I offer thanks to all who have advanced our understanding of Spenser and his work. In particular the scholarship of Professor A. C. Hamilton has provided much enlightenment: his commentary (see Bibliography) is required reading for those who would explore the secret meanings of The Faerie Queene. To the compilers and publishers of the monumental Oxford English Dictionary I am deeply indebted. I wish also to acknowledge the assistance of the staff of the British Library, who kindly allowed me to consult copies of the original editions.