Laura Ashe Livres

Focusing on the period following the Norman Conquest of 1066, the book explores the emergence of a unique English literary identity through both Latin and vernacular writings. Laura Ashe argues that this era's historical and cultural contexts shaped a new sense of unity among the English people, influencing their national literature. By examining how writers engaged with the Conquest, the study reveals fresh perspectives on post-Conquest texts and their significance within the broader landscape of medieval English literature and history.

The acclaimed Penguin Monarchs series: short, fresh, expert accounts of England's rulers - now in paperback Richard II (1377-99) came to the throne as a child, following the long, domineering, martial reign of his grandfather Edward III. He suffered from the disastrous combination of a most exalted sense of his own power and an inability to impress that power on those closest to the throne. Neither trusted nor feared, Richard battled with a whole series of failures and emergencies before finally succumbing to a coup, imprisonment and murder. Laura Ashe's brilliant account of his reign emphasizes the strange gap between Richard's personal incapacity and the amazing cultural legacy of his reign - from the Wilton Diptych to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Piers Plowman and The Canterbury Tales.

Exploring the development of English national identity, this work delves into early Middle Ages literature to uncover how historical and cultural contexts shaped perceptions of character. It offers fresh insights into the writings of the time, revealing the intricate interplay between language, culture, and identity formation. By examining key texts, the book highlights the foundational elements that contributed to the emergence of a distinct English character, making it a significant contribution to literary and historical scholarship.

Focusing on key works like Troilus and Criseyde, the Canterbury Tales, and the Book of the Duchess, this book explores how Chaucer's narratives grapple with contemporary issues in political and moral philosophy. Through detailed analysis, it highlights Chaucer's foresight in addressing ethical dilemmas and philosophical inquiries that resonate with modern debates, showcasing the relevance of his fictions beyond their historical context.

'They secretly indulged all their desires, their joys and delights, whenever they could, day and night' In the twelfth century, fiction was reinvented in English literature. Stories of romance and adventure emerged which heralded new understandings of human experience, the relations between people and the significance of the individual. Above all, this fiction brought love into literary narrative, and the idea that the crowning goal of life is personal fulfilment. The pieces in this wide-ranging anthology, originally written in Latin, French or Middle English by authors such as Geoffrey of Monmouth, Chaucer and Marie de France, are inspirations for some of the best-known later works in literature. They are newly translated into clear modern prose, with glosses provided for Middle English texts. Edited with introductions by Laura Ashe