The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye (or Libel of English Policy) is a fifteenth-century poem written in English. The work exists in two redactions: the first was composed after the siege of Calais in 1436 but before the end of 1438, and a second edition of the work before June 1441. This second edition was probably revised again.[1] Nineteen manuscripts contain the Libelle, which consists of about 1,100 lines in rhyming couplets, with a proem in rhyme-royal and a stanzaic envoi that differs between the poem's two editions.[2]
The Libelle combines mercantilism with a jingoistic approach to England's neighbours. It recommends tight control of the British Sea and the Channel in particular to ensure prosperity and tranquility. Given England's waning fortunes in the Hundred Years War following Burgundy's alliance with France after the Treaty of Arras, the Libelle advocates a defence of the wool staple at Calais at any cost, besides "keeping" Wales and Ireland. This staunchly colonial position is complemented by a long list of European territories and countries with an inventory of their commodities. Finally, the poem complains about widespread piracy, the devaluation of English currency, and closes with a meditation on the value of peace.[3]
Authorshipedit
In 1926, George Warner attributed the poem to Adam Moleyns,[4] but this theory was partly based on Warner's mistaken identification of Moleyns as a member of the family's Lancashire branch. Dismantled by G.A. Holmes in 1961, the theory of Moleyns's authorship has since been abandoned.[5]John Lydgate has also been proposed as the poem's author, but this theory has been rejected by Frank Taylor.[6] Most recently, William Lyndwood, Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1432 to 1443 and the son of a wool merchant, has been associated with the poem's production.[7] In 2019, Sebastian Sobecki identified the author as Richard Caudray, Moleyn's immediate predecessor as clerk of the council who stepped down from this role in 1435 and was therefore best placed to compose this poem.[8][9] Caudray's composition of the Book of the Council, his political views, and a further evidence points to his role behind the poem.[10]
Receptionedit
Although the poem did not alter foreign policy at the time, it became influential during the formulation of English mercantilism in subsequent centuries. The Paston family appears to have possessed a copy of the work in the fifteenth century. The Libelle was first printed by Hakluyt in the second edition of his Principall Navigations (1598-1600). Another prominent sixteenth-century owner was Elizabeth I's Lord High Treasurer, William Cecil (Lord Burghley). John Selden used the work to mount his case for closed seas in his Mare clausum (1635) and Samuel Pepys, clerk of the acts at the Navy Board, owned a copy, as did the influential seventeenth-century barrister Matthew Hale.[11]
Critical approachesedit
Interpretation has focussed on the mercantile aspects of the poem. Carol Meale proposes that the poem's "composition was encouraged by mercantile patronage",[12] whereas John Scattergood suggests that the poem's bullishly colonialist and protectionist outlook offers “a redefinition of the nation” by reference to the “specific sectional interest” of merchants.[13] Sebastian Sobecki draws attention to the use of legal forms in the poem and its interest in documentary authenticity, placing the work in a bureaucratic government context.[14] In his identification of Richard Caudray as the poem's author, Sobecki links the poem's production to Caudray's departure from the council in 1435 and appointment as chief secretary to John Holland, high admiral of England, Ireland, and Aquitaine, and later duke of Exeter.[15]
Referencesedit
^Frank Taylor has suggested a third edition ("Some Manuscripts of The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye").
^Sobecki, Sebastian (2010). "Bureaucratic Verse: William Lyndwood, the Privy Seal, and the Form of The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye". New Medieval Literatures. 12: 251–288. doi:10.1484/J.NML.1.102188. ISSN 1465-3737.
^Warner, The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye, xxxix-xlvi. Warner first attributed the poem to Moleyns in his review of Hertzberg’s 1878 edition which appeared in The Academy, 14 (1878), 491-92.
^Sobecki, Sebastian (2019-11-28). Last Words: The Public Self and the Social Author in Late Medieval England (1 ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/oso/9780198790778.001.0001. ISBN978-0-19-879077-8.
^Breeze, "Sir John Paston, Lydgate, and The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye", Lester, "The Books of a Fifteenth-Century English Gentleman", and Sobecki, “Bureaucratic Verse" 254.
^Meale, "The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye and Mercantile Literary Culture", 216.
^Scattergood, "The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye: the Nation and its Place", 33.
Warner, George, ed, The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye: A Poem on the Use of Sea-Power, 1436 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1926)
Anthony Bale and Sebastian Sobecki, ed., The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye, in Bale and Sobecki, ed., Medieval English Travel: A Critical Anthology (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019), 303-51. ISBN978-0-19-873378-2
Bibliographyedit
Breeze, Andrew, "Sir John Paston, Lydgate, and The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye", Notes and Queries, n.s., 48 (2001), 230-31.
Edwards, A.S.G., "A New Manuscript of The Libelle of English Policy", Notes and Queries, n.s., 46 (1999), 444-45.
Henn, Volker, "The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye: Politik und Wirtschaft in England in den 30er Jahren des 15. Jahrhunderts", Hansische Geschichtsblätter, 101 (1983), 43-65.
Holmes, George, "The Libel of English Policy", The English Historical Review, 76 (1961), 193-216.
Meale, Carol, "The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye and Mercantile Literary Culture in Late-medieval London", in London and Europe in the Later Middle Ages, ed. by Julia Boffey and Pamela King (London: Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, 1996), 181-228.
Lester, Godfrey, "The Books of a Fifteenth-Century English Gentleman: Sir John Paston", Neuphilologische Mitteilungen, 88 (1987), 200-17.
Scattergood, John, "The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye: the Nation and its Place", in Nation, Court and Culture: New Essays on Fifteenth-Century English Poetry, ed. by Helen Cooney (Dublin: Four Courts Press, 2001), 28-49.
Scattergood, John, Politics and Poetry in the Fifteenth Century (London: Blandford Press, 1971).
Sobecki, Sebastian. “Bureaucratic Verse: William Lyndwood, the Privy Seal, and the Form of the Libelle of Englyshe Polycye.” New Medieval Literatures 12, no. 1 (2011): 251–288. doi: 10.1484/J.NML.1.102188
Sobecki, Last Words: The Public Self and the Social Author in Late Medieval England (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019), 101-26. ISBN978-0-19-879077-8. doi:10.1093/oso/9780198790778.001.0001
Sobecki, The Sea and Medieval English Literature (Cambridge: Brewer, 2008), Chapter 6. ISBN978-1-84615-591-8
Taylor, Frank. "Some Manuscripts of The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye", John Rylands Library Bulletin, 24 (1940), 376-418.
January 01, 1970
libelle, englyshe, polycye, libel, english, policy, fifteenth, century, poem, written, english, work, exists, redactions, first, composed, after, siege, calais, 1436, before, 1438, second, edition, work, before, june, 1441, this, second, edition, probably, rev. The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye or Libel of English Policy is a fifteenth century poem written in English The work exists in two redactions the first was composed after the siege of Calais in 1436 but before the end of 1438 and a second edition of the work before June 1441 This second edition was probably revised again 1 Nineteen manuscripts contain the Libelle which consists of about 1 100 lines in rhyming couplets with a proem in rhyme royal and a stanzaic envoi that differs between the poem s two editions 2 Contents 1 Overview 2 Authorship 3 Reception 4 Critical approaches 5 References 6 Editions 7 BibliographyOverview editThe Libelle combines mercantilism with a jingoistic approach to England s neighbours It recommends tight control of the British Sea and the Channel in particular to ensure prosperity and tranquility Given England s waning fortunes in the Hundred Years War following Burgundy s alliance with France after the Treaty of Arras the Libelle advocates a defence of the wool staple at Calais at any cost besides keeping Wales and Ireland This staunchly colonial position is complemented by a long list of European territories and countries with an inventory of their commodities Finally the poem complains about widespread piracy the devaluation of English currency and closes with a meditation on the value of peace 3 Authorship editIn 1926 George Warner attributed the poem to Adam Moleyns 4 but this theory was partly based on Warner s mistaken identification of Moleyns as a member of the family s Lancashire branch Dismantled by G A Holmes in 1961 the theory of Moleyns s authorship has since been abandoned 5 John Lydgate has also been proposed as the poem s author but this theory has been rejected by Frank Taylor 6 Most recently William Lyndwood Keeper of the Privy Seal from 1432 to 1443 and the son of a wool merchant has been associated with the poem s production 7 In 2019 Sebastian Sobecki identified the author as Richard Caudray Moleyn s immediate predecessor as clerk of the council who stepped down from this role in 1435 and was therefore best placed to compose this poem 8 9 Caudray s composition of the Book of the Council his political views and a further evidence points to his role behind the poem 10 Reception editAlthough the poem did not alter foreign policy at the time it became influential during the formulation of English mercantilism in subsequent centuries The Paston family appears to have possessed a copy of the work in the fifteenth century The Libelle was first printed by Hakluyt in the second edition of his Principall Navigations 1598 1600 Another prominent sixteenth century owner was Elizabeth I s Lord High Treasurer William Cecil Lord Burghley John Selden used the work to mount his case for closed seas in his Mare clausum 1635 and Samuel Pepys clerk of the acts at the Navy Board owned a copy as did the influential seventeenth century barrister Matthew Hale 11 Critical approaches editInterpretation has focussed on the mercantile aspects of the poem Carol Meale proposes that the poem s composition was encouraged by mercantile patronage 12 whereas John Scattergood suggests that the poem s bullishly colonialist and protectionist outlook offers a redefinition of the nation by reference to the specific sectional interest of merchants 13 Sebastian Sobecki draws attention to the use of legal forms in the poem and its interest in documentary authenticity placing the work in a bureaucratic government context 14 In his identification of Richard Caudray as the poem s author Sobecki links the poem s production to Caudray s departure from the council in 1435 and appointment as chief secretary to John Holland high admiral of England Ireland and Aquitaine and later duke of Exeter 15 References edit Frank Taylor has suggested a third edition Some Manuscripts of The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye Sobecki Sebastian 2010 Bureaucratic Verse William Lyndwood the Privy Seal and the Form of The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye New Medieval Literatures 12 251 288 doi 10 1484 J NML 1 102188 ISSN 1465 3737 Sobecki Bureaucratic Verse 254 Warner The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye xxxix xlvi Warner first attributed the poem to Moleyns in his review of Hertzberg s 1878 edition which appeared in The Academy 14 1878 491 92 Holmes The Libel of English Policy 211 12 Taylor Some Manuscripts 414 18 Sobecki Bureaucratic Verse Sobecki Sebastian 2019 11 28 Last Words The Public Self and the Social Author in Late Medieval England 1 ed Oxford University Press doi 10 1093 oso 9780198790778 001 0001 ISBN 978 0 19 879077 8 Sobecki Last Words 101 26 Sobecki Last Words 101 26 Breeze Sir John Paston Lydgate and The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye Lester The Books of a Fifteenth Century English Gentleman and Sobecki Bureaucratic Verse 254 Meale The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye and Mercantile Literary Culture 216 Scattergood The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye the Nation and its Place 33 Sobecki Bureaucratic Verse passim Sobecki Last Words 101 26Editions editWarner George ed The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye A Poem on the Use of Sea Power 1436 Oxford Clarendon Press 1926 Anthony Bale and Sebastian Sobecki ed The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye in Bale and Sobecki ed Medieval English Travel A Critical Anthology Oxford Oxford University Press 2019 303 51 ISBN 978 0 19 873378 2Bibliography editBreeze Andrew Sir John Paston Lydgate and The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye Notes and Queries n s 48 2001 230 31 Edwards A S G A New Manuscript of The Libelle of English Policy Notes and Queries n s 46 1999 444 45 Henn Volker The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye Politik und Wirtschaft in England in den 30er Jahren des 15 Jahrhunderts Hansische Geschichtsblatter 101 1983 43 65 Holmes George The Libel of English Policy The English Historical Review 76 1961 193 216 Meale Carol The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye and Mercantile Literary Culture in Late medieval London in London and Europe in the Later Middle Ages ed by Julia Boffey and Pamela King London Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies Queen Mary and Westfield College University of London 1996 181 228 Lester Godfrey The Books of a Fifteenth Century English Gentleman Sir John Paston Neuphilologische Mitteilungen 88 1987 200 17 Scattergood John The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye the Nation and its Place in Nation Court and Culture New Essays on Fifteenth Century English Poetry ed by Helen Cooney Dublin Four Courts Press 2001 28 49 Scattergood John Politics and Poetry in the Fifteenth Century London Blandford Press 1971 Sobecki Sebastian Bureaucratic Verse William Lyndwood the Privy Seal and the Form of the Libelle of Englyshe Polycye New Medieval Literatures 12 no 1 2011 251 288 doi 10 1484 J NML 1 102188 Sobecki Last Words The Public Self and the Social Author in Late Medieval England Oxford Oxford University Press 2019 101 26 ISBN 978 0 19 879077 8 doi 10 1093 oso 9780198790778 001 0001 Sobecki The Sea and Medieval English Literature Cambridge Brewer 2008 Chapter 6 ISBN 978 1 84615 591 8 Taylor Frank Some Manuscripts of The Libelle of Englyshe Polycye John Rylands Library Bulletin 24 1940 376 418 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Libelle of Englyshe Polycye amp oldid 1118577578, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
