Disguising at Hertford By: John Lydgate (1370?-1451?)
In John Lydgate's Disguising at Hertford, readers are transported to a richly imagined world of poetry and disguise. This unique work is a fantastic blend of medieval literature and social commentary that engages the reader from the very first page. The story takes place in the picturesque town of Hertford, where a series of disguises and masquerades are at the center of the narrative. Lydgate cleverly explores themes of identity, deception, and societal norms through his cast of vibrant and complex characters. From the flamboyant courtiers to the secretive townspeople, each individual's disguise serves as a tool to challenge expectations and expose hidden truths. Lydgate's writing style is both lyrical and captivating, making every page a delight to read. His rhythmic verse carries the reader through the twists and turns of the plot, ensuring that each scene is vividly brought to life. Furthermore, the author's attention to detail in describing costumes, locations, and social customs adds an immersive layer to the story, transporting readers to the vibrant world of Hertford. Despite being set in a specific historical period, Disguising at Hertford manages to remain relevant and thought-provoking for contemporary readers. The exploration of appearances versus reality as well as the complexities of social dynamics transcends time, allowing readers to draw parallels between the characters' experiences and their own. While the story boasts a strong narrative and beautifully crafted language, some readers may find certain sections of the book to be challenging. The medieval vocabulary and elaborate poetic techniques employed by Lydgate may require a focused and patient reading approach, but the payoff is well worth the effort. The complexity of the writing adds depth and sophistication to the story, elevating it beyond a mere entertaining tale. Overall, Disguising at Hertford is a remarkable literary accomplishment that seamlessly blends elements of disguise, poetry, and social commentary. John Lydgate's insightful exploration of identity and societal norms makes this book a thought-provoking and enchanting read. Whether one is a fan of medieval literature or simply interested in experiencing a unique and engaging story, this book is a must-read for any lover of the written word. First Page: The Disguising at Hertford by John Lydgate c.1370 1449 a verse play written circa 1427. This version is made available with the permission of the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge, England, the owners of the unique original manuscript. For the purposes of this multi platform electronic text, the medieval 'thorn' (a character representing 'th') has been changed to 'th'. It was impracticable to reproduce the original punctuation, which mainly consisted of the virgule or slash. Modern commas and full stops have been sparingly imposed. Superscript tildes and mid script tildes have been removed. Mid script dots have been changed to colons as they seem to indicate a deliberate suspension. The last four words of the initial rubric (Brys : slayne at Loviers) appear to have been added to the manuscript at a date slightly later than when it was first written. Section marks occur in the original without consistency; where these clearly indicate a new section, a blank line has been inserted to produce a similar effect. The endnotes include the original stage directions. Two lacunae in the manuscript have been supplied by reference to John Stow's late 16th century manuscript copy of the text. The other endnotes are glosses of particular words in the text. The transcription of Lydgate's text has also been published in book form under the title 'Lydgate's Disguising at Hertford Castle', including a modern verse translation of the text, an editor's introduction and notes, and a study of the literary and historical background of the play and of its first performance, which took place at Hertford Castle as part of the royal Christmas festivities of, probably, 1427... Continue reading book >>

Disguising at Hertford By: John Lydgate (1370?-1451?)

In John Lydgate's Disguising at Hertford, readers are transported to a richly imagined world of poetry and disguise. This unique work is a fantastic blend of medieval literature and social commentary that engages the reader from the very first page.

The story takes place in the picturesque town of Hertford, where a series of disguises and masquerades are at the center of the narrative. Lydgate cleverly explores themes of identity, deception, and societal norms through his cast of vibrant and complex characters. From the flamboyant courtiers to the secretive townspeople, each individual's disguise serves as a tool to challenge expectations and expose hidden truths.

Lydgate's writing style is both lyrical and captivating, making every page a delight to read. His rhythmic verse carries the reader through the twists and turns of the plot, ensuring that each scene is vividly brought to life. Furthermore, the author's attention to detail in describing costumes, locations, and social customs adds an immersive layer to the story, transporting readers to the vibrant world of Hertford.

Despite being set in a specific historical period, Disguising at Hertford manages to remain relevant and thought-provoking for contemporary readers. The exploration of appearances versus reality as well as the complexities of social dynamics transcends time, allowing readers to draw parallels between the characters' experiences and their own.

While the story boasts a strong narrative and beautifully crafted language, some readers may find certain sections of the book to be challenging. The medieval vocabulary and elaborate poetic techniques employed by Lydgate may require a focused and patient reading approach, but the payoff is well worth the effort. The complexity of the writing adds depth and sophistication to the story, elevating it beyond a mere entertaining tale.

Overall, Disguising at Hertford is a remarkable literary accomplishment that seamlessly blends elements of disguise, poetry, and social commentary. John Lydgate's insightful exploration of identity and societal norms makes this book a thought-provoking and enchanting read. Whether one is a fan of medieval literature or simply interested in experiencing a unique and engaging story, this book is a must-read for any lover of the written word.

First Page:

The Disguising at Hertford

by John Lydgate c.1370 1449

a verse play written circa 1427.

This version is made available with the permission of the Master and Fellows of Trinity College, Cambridge, England, the owners of the unique original manuscript.

For the purposes of this multi platform electronic text, the medieval 'thorn' (a character representing 'th') has been changed to 'th'. It was impracticable to reproduce the original punctuation, which mainly consisted of the virgule or slash. Modern commas and full stops have been sparingly imposed. Superscript tildes and mid script tildes have been removed. Mid script dots have been changed to colons as they seem to indicate a deliberate suspension. The last four words of the initial rubric (Brys : slayne at Loviers) appear to have been added to the manuscript at a date slightly later than when it was first written. Section marks occur in the original without consistency; where these clearly indicate a new section, a blank line has been inserted to produce a similar effect.

The endnotes include the original stage directions. Two lacunae in the manuscript have been supplied by reference to John Stow's late 16th century manuscript copy of the text. The other endnotes are glosses of particular words in the text.

The transcription of Lydgate's text has also been published in book form under the title 'Lydgate's Disguising at Hertford Castle', including a modern verse translation of the text, an editor's introduction and notes, and a study of the literary and historical background of the play and of its first performance, which took place at Hertford Castle as part of the royal Christmas festivities of, probably, 1427... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Comedy
Literature
Play

eBook links
Wikipedia – John Lydgate
Wikipedia – Disguising at Hertford

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