Dives and Pauper Volume II: Volume II: Introduction, Notes, and Glossary: 323 (Early English Text Society Original Series) - Hardcover

Barnum, Priscilla Heath

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0197223265 ISBN 13: 9780197223260

Publisher: Early English Text Society, 2004

Synopsis

Dives and Pauper, vol. II, contains the Introduction, Explanatory Notes and Glossary to complete the Society's edition of this expansive commentary on the Ten Commandments. The text, written ca. 1405-1410, is cast as a dialogue between a 'rich man' (a well-informed layman) and a 'poor man' (figured as a mendicant friar) over how, in the reign of King Henry IV, one might best conform one's life to the Decalogue. It was widely read in its own time. Dives and Pauper's discussion ranges widely and freely over many aspects of theology, including many topics that were contentious in the author's day, and it is copiously illustrated from the realities of everyday life and politics in the early fifteenth century. Dr Priscilla Heath Barnum has previously edited the text of Dives and Pauper for the Early English Text Society, published in two parts (O.S. 275 (1976) and 280 (1980)).

About this title

Review

...the explanatory notes are clear and informative, encompassing an impressive range of reference demanded by the text's wideranging nature; there is a wealth of interesting information to be found here (Medium Aevum)

Synopsis

Dives and Pauper is an encyclopaedic prose commentary on the ten commandments, cast as a dialogue between a wealthy layman and his instructor, a poor priest, perhaps a mendicant friar. It was composed in the early fifteenth century and addresses theological debates of the turbulent period of English church history with unusual directness and compendiousness. It has long attracted attention from historians of the period and often been quoted. This concluding volume presents a full historical discussion of its context and authorship, while the extensive explanatory notes and glossary make the many references in the text to church authorities, canon law and language accessible. The first two volumes were published by the Early English Text Society as Original Series 275 (1976) and 288 (1980). This final volume has been long- and eagerly-awaited.

Edition details

• Publisher: Early English Text Society
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0197223265
• ISBN 13: 9780197223260
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 535