This book contains a collection of political verses, venality satires and songs of social protest from medieval England. First edited by Thomas Wright in 1839, these so-called 'political songs' are reissued here on behalf of the Royal Historical Society. The collection provides a fascinating insight into medieval responses to contemporary events. A wide-ranging introduction from Peter Coss offers observations on authorship, audience, the means of dissemination and the use of the languages involved. The reader is brought up to date on the critical study of the poems and on their significance and potentiality for the modern historian and literary scholar. Professor Coss corrects Wright's dating where necessary and puts each item into its full contemporary context, making these fascinating verses accessible to the modern reader.

A collection of political verses, venality satires and songs of social protest from medieval England, with a wide-ranging introduction.
Reviews
"...the reissuance of Wright's Political Songs should cause medievalists to look again at their categories of analysis-an always useful outcome." Albion



Book Information
ISBN 9780521554664
Author Thomas Wright
Format Hardback
Page Count 490
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 890g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 32mm