George Ashby, “Active Policy of a Prince and Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum”
Paperback (Published)
(September 2026)
ISBN: 9781580447256
8.31 x 10.28 inches
Price: $24.95
Critical edition of George Ashby’s fifteenth-century mirror for princes, the Active Policy of a Prince and Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum.
George Ashby’s Active Policy of a Prince and its addendum Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum, a mirror for princes written ca. 1461–62 for the Lancastrian prince Edward, is a unique witness to the political discourse of the Wars of the Roses. As a clerk of the Signet Office, Ashby had intimate knowledge of both the inner workings of politics at the Lancastrian court as well as its key players. The Active Policy of a Prince is a largely original work of political advice written in Middle English, while the Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum is a macaronic text, combining prose passages taken mostly from the Latin wisdom text Liber philosophorum moralium antiquorum, followed by Ashby’s verse translations in Middle English. This book presents a full edition of The Active Policy and Dicta with extensive glosses, notes and translations of the Latin passages.
Other Titles in this Series
Guillaume de Machaut, The Complete Poetry and Music, Volume 1
The Debate Poems: Le Jugement dou Roy de Behaigne, Le Jugement dou Roy de Navarre, Le Lay de Plour
Two Middle English Prayer Cycles
Holkham, "Prayers and Meditations" and Simon Appulby, "Fruyte of Redempcyon"
Sentimental and Humorous Romances
Floris and Blancheflour, Sir Degrevant, The Squire of Low Degree, The Tournament of Tottenham, and The Feast of Tottenham
The Dialogue of Solomon and Marcolf
A Dual-Language Edition from Latin and Middle English Printed Editions
Christine de Pizan’s Advice for Princes in Middle English Translation
Stephen Scrope’s "The Epistle of Othea" and the Anonymous "Lytle Bibell of Knyghthod"
