A Crisis of Truth

Literature and Law in Ricardian England

Richard Firth Green author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:University of Pennsylvania Press

Published:1st May '02

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A Crisis of Truth cover

This book examines the transformation of truth in late fourteenth-century England, highlighting the shift from personal integrity to documented evidence in society. A Crisis of Truth offers profound insights.

In A Crisis of Truth, Richard Firth Green explores a pivotal moment in the evolution of English literature and legal thought during the late fourteenth century. He examines how the Middle English term 'trouthe,' which once signified integrity and dependability, began to evolve into its contemporary meaning of conformity to fact. Simultaneously, its antonym 'tresoun' transitioned from denoting personal betrayal to representing a crime against the state. These linguistic shifts reflect broader changes in society's understanding of truth and deception, closely tied to the increasing importance of written texts over spoken words.

Green argues that the rise of vernacular literacy during the reign of Richard II was significantly influenced by the bureaucratic and legal needs of a strengthening central government. This shift marked a profound change in societal attitudes toward evidence and proof, moving from a truth grounded in personal testimony to one reliant on documentation. The implications of this transformation resonate through contemporary discussions about the nature of truth and the role of written records in establishing it.

The work presents a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between law and literature, revealing how these two domains have influenced one another throughout history. Drawing on a vast array of legal and literary sources from Anglo-Saxon England to the twentieth century, A Crisis of Truth serves as an invaluable resource for scholars in literature, law, and history alike, illuminating the intricate connections between language, power, and societal norms.

"A book to read for the wealth of fascinating detail, no less than for the clear and important argument."—English Historical Review


"The best book that has been written on medieval English literature in the last ten years"—Derek Pearsall, Modern Language Review


"This brilliant book is of fundamental importance for scholars of medieval English law and history as well as of English literature."—Literature & History


"A big, ambitious book, an important event in medieval studies."—Speculum


"This book has been eagerly awaited and it fulfills all the hopes that one had of it. Green's work is of the greatest importance for the understanding of a crucial period in the history of English writing and institutions, and a crucial shift in patterns of cognition."—Derek Pearsall, Harvard University

ISBN: 9780812218091

Dimensions: unknown

Weight: unknown

512 pages