Papers by Janet Hadley Williams
Among late-medieval Scottish poems there are many that can be classified as either "moral," "reli... more Among late-medieval Scottish poems there are many that can be classified as either "moral," "religious," or somewhere between the two. These works are impersonal, their timeless themes derived from scripture, liturgy, proverb, or those called "wyis philosapheris." Hortatory in tone, they advise on good conduct-to "serue thy god meikly and the warld besely"-or ponder the immense topic of earthly mutability. 1 Author names, often unnoted, or uncertain, seem unimportant. 2 Their audience, sinful humankind, is all-inclusive. Such "ballatis of wisdome and moralitie" form the second part of George Bannatyne's manuscript miscellany. Some are by known writers, including Robert Henryson, Willliam Dunbar, and Walter Kennedy. Many more, like "We lordis hes chosin a chiftane mervellus," are anonymous. 3 A few appear to sharpen the generalized counsel that is expected of this 1 See "Serue thy god meikly" and "Walking allone among thir levis grene,"
Parergon, 2011
Parergon publishes articles and book reviews on all aspects of medieval and early modern literatu... more Parergon publishes articles and book reviews on all aspects of medieval and early modern literature, history and culture. We are particularly interested in research which takes new approaches and crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Introduction: She thinks not on the state? 1. 'The right vse of Poesie': Elizabeth Melvil... more Introduction: She thinks not on the state? 1. 'The right vse of Poesie': Elizabeth Melville's religious verse and Scottish Presbyterian politics 2. 'Thou art the nursing father of all pietye': sociality, religion, and politics in Anne Southwell's verse 3. 'When that shee heard the drums and cannon play': Jane Cavendish and occasional verse 4. 'This kingdoms loss': Hester Pulter's elegies and emblems 5. 'I see our nere, to be reentered paradice': Lucy Hutchinson's 'Elegies' and Order and Disorder Conclusions
The American Historical Review, 2005
Page 1. Literature, Satire and the Early Stuart State ANDREW McRAE '//Ai L*t»H J&... more Page 1. Literature, Satire and the Early Stuart State ANDREW McRAE '//Ai L*t»H J&&+ C/(* l&* Page 2. Page 3. This One RUCN-XR8-Z497 Page 4. Andrew McRae ... These are the unauthori2ed texts of early Stuart England. From his ...
The Review of English Studies, 2008
Journal of the Sydney Society For Scottish History, Aug 30, 2013
Because we are all keenly interested in the study of early Scottish history, it is probable that ... more Because we are all keenly interested in the study of early Scottish history, it is probable that the name of Sir David Lyndsay, as well as some facts about his career, and one or two of his works, are familiar to us. Some of us may link Lyndsay with heraldry, aware that he compiled Scotland's earliest official armorial manuscript and possibly was involved in redesigning the royal crest in 1536.2 A few among us may have been lucky enough to have seen a performance of Lyndsay's superbly entertaining political morality play, Ane Satyre of the Thrie Estaitis.3 There have been several Edinburgh Festival productions since the first gave its audience such an exhilarating experience in 1948.4 At that time the play had not been performed in Edinburgh since 1554, when the dowager Queen, Marie de Guise, had been among the audience.5 She could have understood only too well the play's astute commentary on the current state of Scottish society-weakened by intermittent war with England, troubled by religious and political division-as by then it certainly was.6 There had been an even earlier performance of Ane Satyre at which Lyndsay himself may have been present.? This 1552 version was played on his home territory of Cupar in Fife, and contained many wickedly specific references to its residents.8 But these two performances came at the end of Lyndsay's life. What preceded them? Forty years before, at the time of James V's birth, Lyndsay, already working at the court, had been appointed the king's usher. This privy chamber position, which he held until 1525, was unique to Lyndsay.9 And it I This paper was delivered to the Sydney Society for Scottish History on the 16th February 1995, as the Geoffrey Ferrow Memorial Lecture. 2on these see C.
Journal of the Sydney Society For Scottish History, Sep 2, 2013
Unlike his uncle, Henry VIII, or his father-in-law, Francis I, James V of Scots has never had a r... more Unlike his uncle, Henry VIII, or his father-in-law, Francis I, James V of Scots has never had a reputation as a reader, book collector, or 'father of letters' .1 As his contemporaries saw it, James's chief interests (during the much briefer time of his reign) were less the 'clerkly' pursuits involving books than a variety of physical activities. Many of them were customary inclusions in the educational curriculum considered appropriate for royalty. Such were James's training in the martial arts (which, from the time he turned six, included riding practice, exercises with the sword, 'speris' [spears], 'culvering' [hand gun] and 'cors bow' [crossbow])2 and, later, his hunting and hawking.3 Others-those, for instance, glimpsed in the lines of some contemporary verses, where James is warned not to 'ryd orrin [run] ov[i]r rekleslie, I or slyde with ladis upoun the yce'4-are memorably unfitting to his position. Yet again they reveal his physical energy, as do further occasional references in the accounts, for instance to balls lost or needed by the king for his games of 'cachpuyll' [hand tennis].5 Musical skills were also a curriculum essential, but James's abilities and interests were sufficiently marked to be commented upon at the time. He not only sang in tune, it was said, but danced well, played the lute, perhaps also the viol, read music at sight, and delighted in hearing his own and foreign musicians perform.6 Much less can be discovered from contemporary sources about James's formal studies.
Journal of the Sydney Society For Scottish History, Nov 3, 2013
', and 'Scottish Literature' are words readily understood, but the operative one in my title, 'Ed... more ', and 'Scottish Literature' are words readily understood, but the operative one in my title, 'Editing', is rather opaque. First thoughts might be of a classic scene, now made almost obsolete by computer technology. This is of the cutting room floor, where (depending on the point of view) the worst or best bits of film footage have been edited, ruthlessly cast aside by a producer preparing a final product for the cinema.
European Journal of Humour Research, 2013
The humorous poetry of late medieval Scotland is diverse in genre, including among its forms the ... more The humorous poetry of late medieval Scotland is diverse in genre, including among its forms the drinking song, farce, parody, burlesque, elrich fantasy, and satiric invective. Some examples, closely related to other popular entertainments of the time, lack technical subtlety, making use of stereotypes and crude plots. Others however are works of imaginative and technical skill, with jesting allusion to classical precedents. Although many forms, especially parody, draw upon Continental examples, the Scottish examples across all genres are also enriched and made distinctive by their great verbal and situational invention.
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Papers by Janet Hadley Williams