Description
Book SynopsisThis study presents a history of the literary culture of early-modern Scotland (1560-1625), based on extensive study of the literary manuscript. It argues for the importance of three key places of production of such manuscripts: the royal court, burghs and towns, and regional houses (stately homes, but also minor lairdly and non-aristocratic households). This attention to place facilitates a discussion of, respectively, courtly, urban or civic, and regional literary cultures. Sebastiaan Verweij''s methodology stems from bibliographical scholarship and the study of the ''History of the Book'', and more specifically, from a school of manuscript research that has invigorated early-modern English literary criticism over the last few decades. The Literary Culture of Early Modern Scotland will also intersect with a programme of reassessment of early-modern Scottish culture that is currently underway in Scottish studies. Traditional narratives of literary history have often regarded the Refor
Trade ReviewVerweij is indefatigable in his assertion that this study is just the beginning. Indeed, he has mastered a great deal of primary and secondary material, making this book useful to both the neophyte and the expert. But it is the authors call for further research, and specific suggestions for avenues of additional inquiry, that makes this book even more valuable. * Salvatore Cipriano, Boston College, Renaissance Quarterly *
The rich content, and the fresh connections, skilfully made, make this a landmark study. * Janet Hadley Williams, Parergon *
There are many things to praise in this work, not least the close and informed engagement with the primary materials, including several manuscripts considered for the first time. Many of the characterisations of manuscripts and sequences of manuscripts are careful, thoughtful, and useful. * Peter Davidson, The Seventeenth Century. *
The most important thing this book does is argue that early modern Scotland had a distinct literary culture ... this book is a useful guide to the circulation of vernacular poetry in miscellany manuscripts. * Jane Stevenson, Times Literary Supplement *
His lucid précis of a wide range of existing research in book history, and the clear-sighted perspectives he brings to bear when applying this research to the matter at hand, speaks of his real mastery of the subject. It would be hard to say which came first this theoretical subtlety, or what must have been tireless years of archival work -- but manuscript studies has profited hugely, either way... * Deirdre Serjeantson, Scottish Literary Review *
Table of ContentsIntroduction: Scottish Literary Texts and the Book History of Early Modern Britain 1: Courtly Literary Culture and Manuscripts of the Court 2: 'All the kings poesis': The Manuscripts of James VI 3: The Manuscripts of William Fowler 4: Manuscript Production, Transmission, and Urban Cultural Identities 5: Urban Developments: EUL MS Laing III.447 6: The Marks of Neighbourhood: Regional Manuscript Production and Transmission 7: The Verse Miscellanies of James Murray of Tibbermuir and Margaret Robertson of Lude Conclusion: 'Off begynnnyng and ending' Bibliography: Manuscripts Bibliography: Printed Books Index
