The Songs and Travels of a Tudor Minstrel: Richard Sheale of Tamworth
Author(s): Andrew Taylor (Author)
Publisher: York Medieval Press
Publication Date: 19 April 2012
Edition: Illustrated
Language: English
Print length: 224 pages
ISBN-10: 1903153395
ISBN-13: 9781903153390
Book Description
A reconstruction of the life and works of a sixteenth-century minstrel, showing the tradition to be flourishing well into the Tudor period. Richard Sheale, a harper and balladeer from Tamworth, is virtually the only English minstrel whose life story is known to us in any detail. It had been thought that by the sixteenth century minstrels had generally been downgradedto the role of mere jesters. However, through a careful examination of the manuscript which Sheale almost certainly “wrote” (Bodleian Ashmole 48) and other records, the author argues that the oral tradition remained vibrant at this period, contrary to the common idea that print had by this stage destroyed traditional minstrelsy. The author shows that under the patronage of Edward Stanley, earl of Derby, and his son, from one of the most important aristocratic families in England, Sheale recited and collected ballads and travelled to and from London to market them. Amongst his repertoire was the famous Chevy Chase, which Sir Philip Sidney said moved his heart “more than witha trumpet”. Sheale also composed his own verse, including a lament on being robbed of 60 on his way to London; the poem is reproduced in this volume. ANDREW TAYLOR lectures in the Department of English, University of Ottawa.
Editorial Reviews
Review
[A] carefully researched study of one minstrel, one manuscript, and a social world in which they were both living and already taking on an antiqued patina. ― JOURNAL OF FOLKLORE RESEARCH
Impressive, productive and insightful. ―
ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW
Contains a wealth of information useful to any student of early modern musical traditions. ―
HISTORY, December 2013
Provides a fascinating insight into a transitional moment in the history of English balladry. . This is an intriguing book, highly recommended. ―
FOLK MUSIC JOURNAL
Offers important revisions to our understanding of the sixteenth century musician and his relationship to the various communities he served. ―
THE MEDIEVAL REVIEW
[A] stimulating and well written study. […] Historians, literary scholars, folklorists, anthropologists, and singers will all find […] material to set them thinking. ―
RENAISSANCE QUARTERLY
[A] valuable study. ―
REVIEW OF ENGLISH STUDIES
Taylor’s piecing together of Sheale’s life and work adds greatly to our understanding of late minstrelsy and the social and political world that formed its background. ―
EARLY MUSIC
About the Author
ANDREW TAYLOR is Professor of English at the University of Ottawa.
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