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Thomas Wright's Political Songs of England: From the Reign of John to that of Edward II
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 new and wide-ranging introduction by Peter Coss offers observations on authorship, audience, the means of dissemination and on the use of the languages involved. Professor Coss examines each item in its full context, making these fascinating verses accessible to the modern reader.
490 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1965
About the author
Thomas Wright
1,209 books17 followersThomas Wright was an English antiquarian and writer. Wright was born near Ludlow, Shropshire, descended from a Quaker family formerly living at Bradford. He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, whence he graduated in 1834.
While at Cambridge he contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine and other periodicals, and in 1835 he came to London to devote himself to a literary career.
His first separate work was Early English Poetry in Black Letter, with Prefaces and Notes (1836, 4 vols. 12mo), which was followed during the next forty years by an extensive series of publications, many of lasting value. He helped to found the British Archaeological Association and the Percy, Camden and Shakespeare Societies. In 1842 he was elected corresponding member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, and was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries as well as member of many other learned British and foreign bodies.
In 1859 he superintended the excavations of the Roman town of Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter), near Shrewsbury, and issued a report.
A portrait of him is in the Drawing Room Portrait Gallery for 1 October 1859.
He was a great scholar, but will be chiefly remembered as an industrious antiquary and the editor of many relics of the Middle Ages.
While at Cambridge he contributed to the Gentleman's Magazine and other periodicals, and in 1835 he came to London to devote himself to a literary career.
His first separate work was Early English Poetry in Black Letter, with Prefaces and Notes (1836, 4 vols. 12mo), which was followed during the next forty years by an extensive series of publications, many of lasting value. He helped to found the British Archaeological Association and the Percy, Camden and Shakespeare Societies. In 1842 he was elected corresponding member of the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres of Paris, and was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries as well as member of many other learned British and foreign bodies.
In 1859 he superintended the excavations of the Roman town of Viroconium Cornoviorum (Wroxeter), near Shrewsbury, and issued a report.
A portrait of him is in the Drawing Room Portrait Gallery for 1 October 1859.
He was a great scholar, but will be chiefly remembered as an industrious antiquary and the editor of many relics of the Middle Ages.
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January 3, 2023
Well one thing was that interesting was the bit with William Wallace from the British perspective, and one confusing thing was the Magna Carta bit.
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