Freedom of Speech in Early Stuart England

This book describes a central episode in the history of free speech.

David Colclough (Author)

9780521120425, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 October 2009

316 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.8 cm, 0.47 kg

"Coclough's writing is attractive and his analysis often acute and subtle. His use of recent sources is excellent Renaissance Quarterly Stanford Lehmberg, University of Minnesota

This book discusses a central chapter in the history of free speech in the Western world. The nature and limits of freedom of speech prompted sophisticated debate in a wide range of areas in the early seventeenth century; it was one of the 'liberties of the subject' fought for by individuals and groups across the political landscape. David Colclough argues that freedom of speech was considered to be a significant civic virtue during this period. Discussions of free speech raised serious questions about what it meant to live in a free state, and how far England was from being such a state. Examining a wide range of sources, from rhetorical handbooks to Parliamentary speeches and manuscript miscellanies, Dr Colclough demonstrates how freedom of speech was conceived positively in the period c.1603–28, rather than being defined in opposition to acts of censorship.

List of illustrations
Acknowledgements
List of abbreviations
Note on the text
Introduction
1. Parrhesia, or licentiousness baptised freedom: the rhetoric of free speech
2. Freedom of speech and religion
3. Freedom of speech in early Stuart Parliaments
4. 'A very paschall fit for Rome': freedom of speech and manuscript miscellanies
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: History of ideas [JFCX], Cultural studies [JFC], British & Irish history [HBJD1], Literature: history & criticism [DS]