Dangerous Talk: Scandalous, Seditious, and Treasonable Speech in Pre-Modern England

— —

David Cressy (Humanities Distinguished Professor of History, The Ohio State University)

Dangerous Talk

Scandalous, Seditious, and Treasonable Speech in Pre-Modern England

David Cressy (Humanities Distinguished Professor of History, The Ohio State University)

$183.95

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Oxford University Press
01 January 2010

History; British & Irish history; Social & cultural history; Freedom of information & freedom of speech; Political subversion

Dangerous Talk examines the 'lewd, ungracious, detestable, opprobrious, and rebellious-sounding' speech of ordinary men and women who spoke scornfully of kings and queens. Eavesdropping on lost conversations, it reveals the expressions that got people into trouble, and follows the fate of some of the offenders. Introducing stories and characters previously unknown to history, David Cressy explores the contested zones where private words had public consequence. Though 'words were but wind', as the proverb had it, malicious tongues caused social damage, seditious words challenged political authority, and treasonous speech imperilled the crown. Royal regimes from the house of Plantagenet to the house of Hanover coped variously with 'crimes of the tongue' and found ways to monitor talk they deemed dangerous.

Their response involved policing and surveillance, judicial intervention, political propaganda, and the crafting of new law.

In early Tudor times to speak ill of the monarch could risk execution. By the end of the Stuart era similar words could be dismissed with a shrug.

This book traces the development of free speech across five centuries of popular political culture, and shows how scandalous, seditious and treasonable talk finally gained protection as 'the birthright of an Englishman'.

The lively and accessible work of a prize-winning social historian, it offers fresh insight into pre-modern society, the politics of language, and the social impact of the law.

By: David Cressy (Humanities Distinguished Professor of History The Ohio State University)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 241mm, Width: 162mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9780199564804
ISBN 10: 0199564809
Publication Date: 01 January 2010
Audience: College/higher education , Further / Higher Education
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Dangerous Talk: Scandalous, Seditious, and Treasonable Speech in Pre-Modern England

r s1splendid catalogue of outspokenness ... this engaging book opens a window into the social history of pre-modern politics. John Spurr, BBC History [Cressy's] meticulous research into unruly tongues touches upon village scandal, bawdy gossip and rumours, with colourful cases ranging from cursing in a Cheshire village to a row between Cambridge academics. Jenny Uglow, Financial Times Scholarly in nature and light in tone, Dangerous Talk is an intriguing glimpse into the private thoughts and public punishment of neighbors in pre-modern England. Marie Antoinette's Gossip Guide to the 18th Century