Vernacular literature and current affairs in the early sixteenth century : France, England and Scotland

The printed writings of the most important authors of the 16th century are characterized by frequent references to current affairs.

This collection brings together essays by literary scholars and historians of the era to discuss various ways in which those writing in the vernacular during the early 16th century responded to contemporary events.

The papers in this volume also demonstrate how the spread of literacy was of fundamental significance for the economics of book production, and for ways in which political power was exercised and expressed, as well as for the development of new literary forms of critical and occasional writing.