Description
Book SynopsisThe manuscript forRivallFriendshipwas first acquired by the Newberry Libraryin1937.At the timeof the acquisition,the authorof this seventeenth-century romancewasanonymous. Scholar JeanR.Brink nowsuggests, based ondating of the manuscript andheranalysis of itsfeministthemes, that the author was a woman.Specifically,Brinkattributesthe text toBridget Manningham, whowas the older sister of Thomas Manningham, a Jacobean and Caroline bishop, and the granddaughter of John Manningham,adiarist who recorded performances of Shakespeare's plays.RivallFriendshipis apostEnglishCivil War romancethatexamines proto-feminist issues, such as patriarchal dominance in the family and marriage. Manningham is scrupulous about maintaining verisimilitude,and unlike more fantastical romancesof the periodthat feature monsters, giants, and magic, thistextaspires to a level of probability in its historical and geographical details. The text ofRivallFriendshipis accessible to most modern readers, particularly to stu
Table of ContentsPreface
Illustrations
Introduction
Rivall Friendship, Part 1
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Book 5
Book 6
Book 7
Book 8
Rivall Friendship, Part 2
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Book 4
Continuation
Appendices
Appendix 1: Corrections of the third hand
Appendix 2: Ellis family
Appendix 3 List of Characters
Appendix 4: List of Historical Figures
