Selected Letters and Other Papers

This collection presents the first published texts of Edmund Spenser's diplomatic and personal papers, offering insights into his life and work in Ireland.

The first published compilation of the diplomatic and personal papers of Edmund Spenser, Selected Letters and Other Papers sheds light on his significant role during his secretarial service in Ireland from 1580 to 1589. This collection includes letters and documents that Spenser wrote, copied, and managed, providing a unique glimpse into the poet's life and work during a tumultuous period of colonial expansion. The volume is enriched with a comprehensive introduction, illustrations, notes, and appendices, making it an invaluable resource for both scholars and enthusiasts of Spenser's poetry.

The manuscripts included in Selected Letters and Other Papers offer critical insights into Spenser's literary contributions, especially his renowned allegorical epic, The Faerie Queene, and his exploration of Irish culture and governance in A View of the Present State of Ireland. Through these documents, readers can appreciate the complexities of the New English administration in Ireland, which was marked by ongoing conflict, diplomacy, and social engineering. The editors, Burlinson and Zurcher, contextualize Spenser's experiences within the broader political and military landscape of the time.

Additionally, this selection, which constitutes about half of Spenser's known surviving papers, is meticulously annotated to clarify the historical references and enhance understanding. The book also features illustrations from Spenser's manuscripts and contains extensive appendices, including biographical essays, a chronology, and maps, further enriching the reader's experience and understanding of this pivotal figure in English literature.