George Ashby, "Active Policy of a Prince and Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum" - Aline Douma

Aline Douma

£22.50
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Published 30 November 2026

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  • Pages · 176 pages
  • Publication Date · 30/11/2026
  • Genre · Literary studies: classical, early & medieval
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George Ashby's Active Policy of a Prince and its addendum Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum, a mirror for princes written ca. 1461-1462 for the Lancastrian prince Edward, is a unique witness to the political discourse of the Wars of the Roses. As a clerk of the Signet Office, Ashby had intimate knowledge of both the inner workings of politics at the Lancastrian court as well as its key players. The Active Policy of a Prince is a largely original work of political advice written in Middle English, while the Dicta et opiniones diversorum philosophorum is a macaronic text, combining prose passages taken mostly from the Latin wisdom text Liber philosophorum moralium antiquorum, followed by Ashby's verse translations in Middle English. This book presents a full edition of The Active Policy and Dicta with extensive glosses, notes and translations of the Latin passages.

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