Leicester's literary patronage : a study of the English Court, 1578-1582
During the Duke of AlenĂ§on's second courtship of Queen Elizabeth the Earl of Leicester emerged as the leading opponent of the marriage. At the same time he began to patronize a circle of writers which included Gabriel Harvey, Edmund Spenser and Philip Sidney, who helped to create the 'golden 1 literature of the English Renaissance. In this thesis I investigate their relations with Leicester and by a detailed examination of their main works, such as the Spenser-Harvey Letters, the Old Arcadia, theShepheardes Calender and theFaerie Queene, and their development, show how they reflect the Earl's intellectual and political concerns. I argue that AlenĂ§on was a notable patron and that his growing knowledge of his rival's academic interests encouraged Leicester to maintain his own literary faction. One of his aims was to show the French that English culture was not provincial and he demon- strated this in the entertainment The Four Foster Children of Desire for which he was largely responsible. Having outlined the background of the crisis of the courtship I evoke Leicester's life and circumstances during this period, particularly his relationship with the Queen and patronage at Oxford. I then describe the distinctive
Woudhuysen, H. R.
Authors and patrons ; History ; English literature ; History and criticism ; Politics and literature ; Court and courtiers ; Exhibitions ; England ; 16th century ; Early modern, 1500-1700
Leicester's literary patronage : a study of the English Court, 1578-1582. During the Duke of AlenĂ§on's second courtship of Queen Elizabeth the Earl of Leicester emerged as the leading opponent of the marriage. At the same time he began to patronize a circle of writers which included Gabriel Harvey, Edmund Spenser and Philip Sidney, who helped to create the 'golden 1 literature of the English Renaissance. In this thesis I investigate their relations with Leicester and by a detailed examination of their main works, such as the Spenser-Harvey Letters, the Old Arcadia, theShepheardes Calender and theFaerie Queene, and their development, show how they reflect the Earl's intellectual and political concerns. I argue that AlenĂ§on was a notable patron and that his growing knowledge of his rival's academic interests encouraged Leicester to maintain his own literary faction. One of his aims was to show the French that English culture was not provincial and he demon- strated this in the entertainment The Four Foster Children of Desire for which he was largely responsible. Having outlined the background of the crisis of the courtship I evoke Leicester's life and circumstances during this period, particularly his relationship with the Queen and patronage at Oxford. I then describe the distinctive
leicester literary patronage study english court duke second courtship queen elizabeth earl leicester emerge lead opponent marriage time begin circle writer include help_create golden literature english renaissance investigate relation leicester detail_examination main work letters old development show reflect earl intellectual_political concern argue notable patron grow knowledge rival academic_interest encourage leicester maintain literary faction aim_show french_english culture provincial entertainment foster children desire largely_responsible outline background crisis courtship evoke leicester life circumstance period particularly relationship queen patronage oxford describe distinctive