CONTENTS

CHAPTER I'

THE BACKGROUND TO THE LITERATURE..

Four main Factors-(1) Humanism-The contrast between the Christian

and the pagan philosophy of life—Its effect in art-On living conditions—

In entertainments-On dress-On jewelry-On dining-On morality—

On the attitude toward children-On the attitude toward marriage-

(2) The Copernican system-The medieval conception of the supernatu-

ral-The medieval attitude toward nature-Sanitation of old London-

Disease Remedies-Cheapness of death-(3) The geographic dis-

coveries-The desire for communication with the Far East-The diffusion

of this idea-The extension of it in practice-Its effect upon literature-

(4) The invention of printing-Fifteenth century England-Scanty

population-Two planes of literature-The_political situation-Henry

VII-The problems arising from his accession to the throne-The per-

sonality of Henry VIII.

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1

THE MEDIEVAL TRADITION...

CHAPTER II

The effect upon literature of the historical situation The change in pro-

nunciation-The difficulty in writing-Chaucer surviving largely by his

content-Lydgate the great source of inspiration-The formal literary

tradition-Its characteristics-The Flower and the Leaf-The Assembly

of Ladies The Court of Love-Its language—Its content-Stephen Hawes

-His theory of poetry-The Example of Virtue-The Pastime of Pleas-

ure The similarity between them-The sources-The Godfrey Gobelive

episode-The romantic elements-The Comfort of Lovers-Hawes verse

experiments-His reputation-Skelton-The Bowge of Court-Its con-

creteness-Its satire-His relation to Barclay-The interpretation of the

allegory-Heywood-The Spider and the Flye-Its characteristics-Its

interpretation-The use of comic detail-The use of the dilemma-The

use of alliteration-Pseudo-Chaucerian influence.

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THE SCHOLASTIC TRADITION..

CHAPTER III

The dominance of the Church-The familiarity with Medieval Latin Its

extensive use—The medieval poetics-Influence on English for the form

only--The Colores-In arrangement of words-Latin tags-The effect

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upon English vocabulary-The rithm-The stanza forms-The Not-
browne Mayde-Skelton-His reading-His humanism-His lyrics-His
use of Latin-The Skeltonic verse-Its origin-His satires-The problem
of dating-His loyalty-Colin Clout-His attack upon Wolsey-Why
Come Ye Not to Court?—The continuation of Colin Clout—The Reply-
cacion-The theory of poetry-Its dedication-Polemic dialogues—A
Proper Dialogue-Rede Me and Be nott Worthe-Phillip Sparrow-Elynour
Rummyng—Skelton and the Humanists-London Lickpenny-Cocke
Lorrelles Bote-The Hye Way to the Spittal Hous-Realism.

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HUMANISM...

CHAPTER IV

The connotation of Humanism-Its gradual growth-Skelton as a Human-

ist-Italy the pioneer-Humanism in England-Alexander Barclay-

The Eclogues-Ship of Fools-Mirror of Good Manners-Henry Brad-

shaw-John Heywood-Humanism of the Oxford group-Its artificiality—

Its morality-Its relation to the Reformation-Sir Thomas More-

Utopia-Its modernity-Its criticism-Its intellectuality-Erasmus-

His feeling toward England-His popularity-His morality-His ra-

tionalism-Colloquia-His attitude toward reform-Humanism versus

Scholasticism in education-The aim-The three great theorists-The

growth of the movement in England-The aim-Physical exercise-

Classic heroes-Expurgations-The effect upon English literature-The

effect on teaching-On the vernacular-Education of Women-English

Verse - Tottel's Miscellany - Wyatt — Uncertain Authors-Nicholas

Grimald-His pedantry-Origin of blank verse-Ascham the theorist and

Grimald the exponent.

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CHAPTER V

THE INFLUENCE OF CONTEMPORARY LITERATURES.

The effect of Spanish upon English-Celestina-Lord Berners-Golden

Book-Its popularity-Its content-Image of Governance-Sir Francis

Bryan-Dispraise of the Life of a Courtier-Germany-Trade relations—

Reformation-The Assertio-Situation in England-Literary results-

Tyndale's New Testament—Supplicacyon for the Beggars-More's reply—

The polemic dialogue-Rede me and be not wrothe-Coverdale-Sternhold

-The jest books-Salomon and Marcolphus-Van Doesborgh-Laurens

Andrewe Parson of Kalenborowe-Tyll Howleglas-Realism-France-

The effect upon the language-Castle of Labour-Colyn Blowbol's Testa-

ment- Jyl of Brentford's Testament Ballade - Rondeau - Clement

Marot-The Court-Tottel's Miscellany-Wyatt-Italy-Wyatt-Uncer-

tain Authors-The prose-Morte Darthur-Froissart-Huon of Burdeaux

-Kalendayr of shyppards.

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CHAPTER VI

HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY....

The text doubtful-Surrey's rank-His family connections-His char-

acter-His religious feeling-His death-"Fair Geraldine"-Compared

with Wyatt-His language-Marot-Uncertain Authors-His medieval-

ism-Psalms-Vergil-Blank verse— -Summary.

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504

EARLY TUDOR POETRY

1485-1547