Linguistic change and metre: the demise of adjectival inflections and the scansion of ‘high’ and ‘sly’ in Chaucer, Gower and Hoccleve

This article examines the inflectional system of adjectives in Chaucer, Gower and Hoccleve, with particular reference to ‘high’ ‘sly’. Since these poets were careful metrists, scansion allows us determine syllabic status their verse. While Chaucer Gower, grammatical for inflection monosyllabic (final - e weak plural adjectives) is generally observed, there good evidence show that was breaking down case ‘sly’, which frequently appear without position. The also shows Hoccleve's poetry had disappeared altogether adjectives, except at line ending. Editorial emendations depend on this are therefore incorrect. explanation irregular behaviour ‘sly’ probably related vulnerability schwa after front vowels.