Treason: Medieval and Early Modern Adultery, Betrayal, and Shame

by Larissa Tracy

The willingness to betray one's country, one's people, one's family--to commit treason and foreswear loyalty to one entity by giving it to another--is a difficult concept for many people to comprehend. Yet, societies have grappled with treason for centuries; the motivations, implications, and consequences are rarely clear cut and are often subjective. Set against the framework of modern political concerns, Treason: Medieval and Early Modern Adultery, Betrayal, and Shame considers the various forms of treachery in a variety of sources, including literature, historical chronicles, and material culture creating a complex portrait of the development of this high crime. Larissa Tracy artfully brings together younger critics as well as seasoned scholars in a compelling and topical conversation on treason.Contributors are Frank Battaglia, Dianne Berg, Tina Marie Boyer, Albrecht Classen, Sam Claussen, Freddy C. Dom�nguez, Melissa Ridley Elmes, Ana Grinberg, Iain A. MacInnes, Inna Matyushina, Sally Shockro, Susan Small, Peter Sposato, Sarah J. Sprouse, Daniel Thomas, and Larissa Tracy.

Genres: Medieval, History

Hardcover

Reviews

[Redsteve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scholarly collection of articles on the subject of treason from the Medieval period through the 17th Century. Very well documented. Be advised, though ,that the essays are connected by theme and period but little else – source material used by individual authors (personal letters, court records, literature, poetry, plays, histories,, and even the medieval equivalent of a self-help book) and focus (ranging from evolving trends in loyalty in the age of Beowulf, to betrayal of the code of chivalric behavior, to Lucifer’s revolt against God, to adultery or personal betrayal of a benefactor, to treason in religious practice - as well as what we now think of as treason: betrayal of a ruler or nation) varies greatly. The articles are broadly divided into three sections: The Politics of Treason, Religious Treason and Heresy, and Treasonous Love: Adultery and Shame. While the range of source material is wide, various versions of the legend of King Arthur appears to be the clear favorite. This collection is interesting but, be warned that it is not a “popular history” and may feel a bit dry to general readers – as well as assuming a certain amount of knowledge from the reader (e.g. I felt like I got a lot more out of the articles that dealt with periods I had more experience with). 3.5 stars.