Book Description

Drawing on over a decade of detailed bibliographical investigation, Devereux demonstrates that Rastell was a leading figure in the development of law books, the first printer to create type for music, and a significant figure in the preparation and publication of theological works. Rastell also promoted and published important humanist texts, including two dialogues by Thomas More, a number of plays, including Interlude of the Four Elements which he may have written himself, and several works by John Skelton. Like other Renaissance humanist printers Rastell borrowed woodcuts, shared out the work of printing long multi-volume works, and even shared type on occasion. But his life as a publisher was turbulent, as demonstrated by several changes of address for his printing establishment in London and numerous changes in his printers and typesetters. Devereux's work is a significant addition to Renaissance bibliography, providing important new information for those who study early modern humanism, especially the historiography of law and religion in England.