Getting Started

This guide is intended for students who are enrolled in Literature 312, or for those interested in researching English literature in the Middle Ages.

Reference works are an excellent way of getting background information on your topic. They're usually trustworthy because they've been written and reviewed by subject experts.

Electronic Reference Sources

Off-campus access requires my.emich authentication.

Oxford English Dictionary and Historical Thesaurus (OED Online) This link opens in a new window
Subjects: English Language, Word Origins
Info type: reference source, definitions, etymologies, quotations
Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window
Search and display the full-text of reference books.
Subjects: Many subjects, including History, Education, Film, Health, Science, Social Science
Info type: encyclopedia and reference book entries.
List of sources.

Specific Reference Titles

Encyclopedia of the Medieval World by E. English
Call Number: D114 .E55 2005; First Floor -- Reference Collection
ISBN: 0816046905
Publication Date: 2005
Approximately 2,000 entries offer coverage on significant personalities, archaeology, arts and architecture, literature, philosophy, religion, law, science and warfare.
A Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases by C. Corèdon
Call Number: DA129 .C67 2004; First Floor -- Reference Collection
ISBN: 1843840235
Publication Date: 2005
Contains 3,400 terms as headwords, ranging from the legal and ecclesiastic to the more prosaic words of daily life.
A Companion to Arthurian and Celtic Myths and Legends by M. Dixon-Kennedy
Call Number: PN685 .D59 2004; First Floor -- Reference Collection
ISBN: 0750933100
Publication Date: 2004
Presents colourful myths and legends in history and provides an authoritative guide to the people, places, events and traditions associated with Arthur.