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Cover of Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I

Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I

by Edmund Spenser

Reading level
Plain English
Price
Free
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About the book

"Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I" by Edmund Spenser is an epic poem first published in 1590. This opening book follows the Redcrosse Knight on a quest embodying the virtue of Holiness. Separated from his lady Una through deception, the knight falls into captivity and despair. Una perseveres through countless dangers to rescue him, leading to his recovery and ultimate test: defeating a dragon. Written as allegory praising Queen Elizabeth I, the poem explores virtue through knights' adventures while operating on multiple symbolic levels.

  • English poetry
  • Knights and knighthood
  • Virtues

Updated September 2026. Public domain in the USA. Text and summary from Project Gutenberg eBook #15272. Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I on Wikipedia.

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