ORAL AND LITERATE CULTURE IN ENGLAND 1500-1700

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. With 17 black and white illustrations. A very near fine copy, the binding square and firm, with a touch of rubbing to the tail of the spine. The contents are clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very lightly creased dustwrapper, which is bright and fresh, and without fading, loss or tears.

An exploration of the varied vernacular forms and rich oral traditions which were such a part of popular culture in early modern England, focusing, in particular, upon dialect speech and proverbial wisdom, 'old wives' tales' and children's lore, historical legends and local customs, scurrilous versifying, and scandalous rumour-mongering.