Rise of Prison Literature in the Sixteenth Century

A fascinating account of writings penned by early modern prisoners, including Thomas More, Lady Jane Grey and Thomas Wyatt.

List of contents

Introduction; 1. The sixteenth-century prison; 2. Writing the prison; 3. Prison communities; 4. 'Frendes abrode'; 5. Liberating the text?; Afterword; Bibliography.

About the author

Ruth Ahnert is a Lecturer in Early Modern Studies in the School of English and Drama at Queen Mary, University of London. Her work focuses on the literature and culture of the Tudor period, with a specific emphasis on religious history, prison writing and letter writing. Recent and forthcoming publications examine prison scenes in early modern drama, trial narratives and Protestant letter networks. Dr Ahnert serves on the Council of the Society for Renaissance Studies and is co-editor of the Society's Bulletin.

Summary

The first major study of prison literature dating from the early modern period, this book shows how the religious and political instability of the Tudor reigns provided conditions for prison literature to thrive. Ahnert demonstrates how prisoners used the power of the written word to make meaning from their experience.

Product details

• Authors: Ruth Ahnert, Ruth (Queen Mary University of London) Ahnert, Ahnert Ruth
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 22.08.2013
• EAN: 9781107040304
• ISBN: 978-1-107-04030-4
• No. of pages: 241
• Subjects: Fiction > Poetry, drama; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > English linguistics / literary studies; European History, English, c 1500 onwards to present day, United Kingdom, Great Britain, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers, Penology and punishment, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, Literary studies: c 1400 to c 1600