A Political Pamphleteer in Late Medieval England : Thomas Fovent, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Usk, and the Merciless Parliament of 1388

Author / Editor
Oliver, Clementine.

Title
A Political Pamphleteer in Late Medieval England : Thomas Fovent, Geoffrey Chaucer, Thomas Usk, and the Merciless Parliament of 1388

Published
New Medieval Literatures 6 (2003): 167-98

Description
Explores the identity and political career of Thomas Fovent (Favent), author of the polemical treatise on the Merciless Parliament--"Historia Mirabilis Parliament"--arguing that the treatise is best regarded as a "pamphlet," an index to the public opinion of the age, not partisan propaganda. Oliver compares and contrasts Fovent's political savvy and caution with those of Chaucer and Usk.

Chaucer Subjects
Background and General Criticism.