"This present study was undertaken in order to disclose the relationship existing between the Chronicles of John Froissart and historical literature in England up to the seventeenth century when the Tudor Chronicle plays vanished from the stage." -- Preface.

Excerpt from Froissart and the English Chronicle Play The present study was undertaken in order to disclose the relationship existing between the Chronicles of John Froissart and historical literature in England up to the seventeenth century when the Tudor Chronicle plays van ished from the stage. During the last two decades, critical scholarship has discovered many intimate relations between French and English lyric and romance Of the medieval period, and between the writings of the Pleiade and the poetry of the Elizabethan age. Investigation, however, Of Froissart's connections with English Literature has been almost wholly confined to his poetry, chiefly with reference to that of his friend, Geoffrey Chaucer. Froissart's most noted work, the Chronicles, which was translated into Eng lish by Lord Berners as early as 1523-5, has been generally overlooked as a source for the Sixteenth century chroniclers, and the succeeding dramatists Of English history. Moreover, in searching for sources Of chronicle history plays, critics have confined their attention too exclusively to the Chron ioles Of Holinshed, largely perhaps, because Shakespeare has given this history such enviable prestige. But other and better chronicles of this period also found eager readers. Today, when any question arises concerning sources for chronicle plays, the easy and immediate answer is Holins hed. In Opposition, then, to what might become a facile dogmatism, the following pages endeavor to reveal to what extent those chapters in Froissart's Chronicles that relate English history, particularly the reigns Of Edward III and Richard II, influenced the chroniclers and playwrights Of the Elizabethan age. To facilitate this investigation, the first two chapters review the life and literary work of Froissart, and of his translator, Lord Berners. In writing these chapters I have availed myself freely Of the excellent work of previous in vestigators, and have, therefore, presented little that is original. The remainder of the first part discloses the continuous vogue Of Berners' Froissart among the long succession of English Chroniclers; and demonstrates in nearly every case their literal indebtedness to this transla tion. The second part discusses in detail the numerous poetic and dramatic versions of Edward III and Richard II in Elizabethen literature, and attempts to prove the indebtedness of the authors to Berners' translation. Chap ter IV presents the new and complete sources from Ber ners for the anonymous play Edward III, wrongly sup posed to be derived from Holinshed, and reviews in this light the question Of authorship. Chapters VI and VII offer for the plays, Jack Straw and Woodstock sources that heretofore have been either incorrectly, or partially traced. The last five chapters Show the use made Of Berners by Samuel Daniel while writing the Civil Wars, and, in view Of this relationship, throw new light on the indebtedness of Shakespeare's Richard II to Daniel's epic. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Chronicles of Jean Froissart (1337-1410) are universally acknowledged as the most vivid and faithful account of 14th century events and ideas. This medieval collector of intelligence travelled widely from Scotland and Wales to France, Italy and the Netherlands, conversing with gentlemen of rank everywhere and developing a tremendous skill for persuading those about him to divulge their secrets. These Chronicles offer an unrivalled picture of the age of chivalry, drawn by a contemporary, with a verve that recalls Chaucer. Fresh, vivid, immediate and laced with a certain disrespect for the Establishment, they tell of acts of gallantry, tournaments, feasts and wars that make for fascinating reading, abetted by John Jolliffe's translation that renders Froissart into highly accessible modem English.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

First published in 1982, this volume responds to the attribution of numerous plays to Shakespeare which were not his own and selects four plays which have been ascribed in whole or in part to Shakespeare by responsible, talented scholars: The Reign of King Edward III, Sir Thomas More, The History of Cardenio and The Two Noble Kinsmen. Included in the bibliography are all the books, chapters and appendices of books, articles, review articles, reviews and notices of stage productions and a limited number of the more substantial discussions dealing with the four plays and published since 1930. The bibliography is organized by play with an initial section listing items dealing with two or more plays.