Two early 17th‑century tracts reprinted for the first time from original copies.
Explore the life and work of John Forde, a contemporary of Shakespeare, through a pair of prose and verse pieces that blend moral reflection with public history.
Honour Triumphant and Line of Life present a portrait of a gifted, ambitious dramatist who writes about chivalry, virtue, and the duties of a noble life. The volume includes an introduction that situates these works in their historical moment, notes on textual details, and commentary on Forde’s aims, influences, and legacy. The pieces mix oration, poetry, and brief dramatic passages to illuminate character, honor, and the moral stakes of public life.
What you’ll experience
- A detailed introduction to Forde’s life, the dates of his tracts, and their cultural context.
- The four positions of chivalry defended in Honour Triumphant, plus poems in praise of contemporary rulers.
- The later tract Line of Life, a meditation on ambition, virtue, time, and the pursuit of a lasting name.
- Editorial notes and contextual commentary that help readers place the works in early modern English literature.
Ideal for readers of early modern drama, literary history, and scholars curious about Shakespeare’s circle and their contemporaries.