Gower, Richard II and Henry IV.
- Author/Editor
- Bennett, Michael.
- Title
- Gower, Richard II and Henry IV.
- Published
- Bennett, Michael. "Gower, Richard II and Henry IV." In Historians on John Gower. Ed. Stephen H. Rigby, with Siân Echard (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 2019), pp. 425-88.
- Review
- Bennett's opens with a succinct and accurate summary of what his essay accomplishes: "This chapter reassesses Gower's views on Richard's reign by examining the poet's writings in the context of his background in Kent, his social circle and political connections, the politics of Richard's reign, and contemporary perceptions of his rule. Key issues here are Gower's role as mentor to royalty in his letter to Richard in "Vox Clamantis" ["Epistola ad regem"]; the dating of the critical comments about the king which Gower added to this text; Gower's stance in relation to the cause of the Appellants in 1387-88; the dating and significance of the changes which Gower made to the "Confessio Amantis," particularly the change of the dedication from Richard to Henry; the date[s] of the composition of the three parts of the "Cronica Tripertita," in which Gower wrote an account of Richard's misrule, his tyranny and overthrow; and the misleading nature of modern representations of Gower as a 'Lancastrian propagandist'" (425). Bennett accomplishes all this and more with impressive specificity and detail; he offers clear and subtle descriptions of political events, fresh perspectives on aspects of Gower's life and literature, and persuasive arguments for revising the traditional dating of his works. He clarifies the importance of Gower's affiliations with Sir John Cobham and Arnold Savage and his loyalty to the Lords Appellant; he argues that Gower's works reflect consistent attitudes and studied choices--at least when choice was possible available amidst the shifting loci of political power that held sway during events that led up to and through Richard's deposition. [MA. Copyright. The John Gower Society. eJGN 39.1]
- Date
- 2019
- Gower Subjects
- Backgrounds and General Criticism
Biography of Gower
Vox Clamantis
Confessio Amantis
Cronica Tripertita