Six Ecclesiastical Satires

Edited by James Dean

Book cover: Six Ecclesiastical Satires

Extent: 256 pages

Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: TEAMS Middle English Texts Series

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(September 1991)

ISBN: 9781879288058

7.01 x 10 inches

Price: $19.95

In stock

PDF (Published)

(September 1991)

ISBN: 9781580443975

Price: $16.00

On anticlerical poetry in late medieval England. These Middle English poems attack ecclesiastical corruption; most of the poems were written by disgruntled Lollards about clerics and friars in the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century. Well glossed and include introductions and copious notes, for students of any level of experience.


This volume would comprise a great unit on anticlerical poetry in late medieval England, collecting Piers the Plowman’s Crede, The Plowman’s Tale, Jack Upland, Friar Daw’s Reply, Upland’s Rejoinder, and Why I Can’t Be a Nun. These Middle English poems attack ecclesiastical corruption; most of the poems were written by disgruntled Lollards about clerics and friars in the late fourteenth or early fifteenth century. Piers the Plowman’s Crede deals with a poor man trying to learn the Apostle’s Creed from friars, who cannot teach him and only want his money; eventually the man can only learn the creed from Piers the Plowman. The Plowman’s Tale casts an anticlerical tale in the mold of one of the Canterbury Tales. Jack Upland, Friar Daw’s Reply, and Upland’s Rejoinder comprise a debate over the hypocrisy of friars. Meanwhile, Why I Can’t Be a Nun decries the sins of nuns in convents. These texts are well glossed and include introductions and copious notes, making them approachable for students of Middle English of any level of experience.

Piers the Plowman's Crede

The Plowman's Tale
Jack Upland
Friar Daw's Reply
Upland's Rejoinder
Why I Can't Be a Nun
Glossary
  • Edited by James Dean