Transforming Talk: The Problem with Gossip in Late Medieval England

Author / Editor
Phillips, Susan E.

Title
Transforming Talk: The Problem with Gossip in Late Medieval England

Published
University Park, Pa.: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2007.

Physical Description
x, 238 pp.

Description
Phillips investigates "the intersection between unofficial speech, pastoral practice, and literary production in late medieval England," focusing on pastoral and penitential injunctions against gossip, "idle talk," and "janglyng" and on literary depictions of gossip, kinship relationships (godsibs), and female speech groups. Works discussed include William Dunbar's "Tretis of Twa Mariit Wemen," Robert Mannyng's "Handlyng Synne," John Mirk's "Festial" and "Instructions," the "Gospelles of Dystaues," "Fyftene Joyes of Maryage," various exempla and carols, and works by Chaucer, especially HF, WBPT, SumT, ShT, PhyT, and ManT.

Chaucer Subjects
House of Fame.
Wife of Bath and Her Tale.
Summoner and His Tale.
Shipman and His Tale.
Physician and His Tale.
Manciple and His Tale.