Spenser's Faerie Queene, Vol. 1 (of 2)
- Reading level
- Plain English
- Price
- Free
About the book
"Spenser's Faerie Queene, Vol. 1 (of 2): Books I-III" by Edmund Spenser is an epic poem first published in 1590. This monumental work of over 36,000 lines follows knights on quests that examine different virtues—Holiness, Temperance, and Chastity. Written in Spenser's invented verse form, the Spenserian stanza, the poem operates as elaborate allegory, praising Queen Elizabeth I while aiming to "fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline." Each knight faces trials, temptations, and perils in adventures filled with monsters, wizards, and enchantments.
- English poetry
- Knights and knighthood
- Virtues
Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #70717. Spenser's Faerie Queene, Vol. 1 (of 2) on Wikipedia.
More free books by Edmund Spenser
About Edmund SpenserSpenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I
Stories from the Faerie Queene
The Faerie Queene — Volume 01
The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5
The Shepheard's Calender
Spenser's Faerie Queene, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Stories from the Faerie Queen, Told to the Children
Tales from Spenser, Chosen from the Faerie Queene
