Writing and Rebellion: England in 1381

Author / Editor
Justice, Steven.

Title
Writing and Rebellion: England in 1381

Published
Berkeley, Los Angeles, and London: University of California Press, 1994.

Physical Description
xiv, 289 pp.

Series
New Historicism Series, no. 27.

Description
New-Historical exploration of the relations between late-medieval vernacular literacy and the insurgency of 1381 (Peasants' Revolt). Focuses on six brief texts concerning leaders of the revolt, treating their production, implications, and relations with contemporary writings and political conditions.
Separate chapters consider attempts of the rebels to re-create written culture; Wycliffite influences; the role of "Piers Plowman" in the uprising; definition of classes through writing; and attitudes toward these issues in Gower, Chaucer, and Langland. The treatment of Chaucer concentrates on fragment 7 of CT, especially NPT.

Chaucer Subjects
Background and General Criticism.
Nun's Priest and His Tale.