Essays on topics of literary interest crossing the boundaries between the medieval and early modern period. The borderline between the periods commonly termed "medieval" and "Renaissance", or "medieval" and "early modern", is one of the most hotly, energetically and productively contested faultlines in literary history studies. The essays presented in this volume both build upon and respond to the work of Professor Helen Cooper, a scholar who has long been committed to exploring the complex connections and interactions between medieval and Renaissance literature. The contributors re-examine a range of ideas, authors and genres addressed in her work, including pastoral, chivalric romance, early English drama, and the writings of Chaucer, Langland, Spenser and Shakespeare. As a whole, thevolume aims to stimulate active debates on the ways in which Renaissance writers used, adapted, and remembered aspects of the medieval. Andrew King is Lecturer in Medieval and Renaissance Literature at University College, Cork; Matthew Woodcock is Senior Lecturer in Medieval and Renaissance Literature at the University of East Anglia. Contributors: Joyce Boro, Aisling Byrne, Nandini Das, Mary C. Flannery, Alexandra Gillespie, AndrewKing, Megan G. Leitch, R.W. Maslen, Jason Powell, Helen Vincent, James Wade, Matthew Woodcock

Investigations into the heroic - or not - behaviour of the protagonists of medieval romance. Medieval romances so insistently celebrate the triumphs of heroes and the discomfiture of villains that they discourage recognition of just how morally ambiguous, antisocial or even downright sinister their protagonists can be, and, correspondingly, of just how admirable or impressive their defeated opponents often are. This tension between the heroic and the antiheroic makes a major contribution to the dramatic complexity of medieval romance, but it is not an aspect of the genre that has been frequently discussed up until now. Focusing on fourteen distinct characters and character-types in medieval narrative, this book illustrates the range of different ways in which the imaginative power and appeal of romance-texts often depend on contradictions implicit in the very ideal of heroism. Dr Neil Cartlidge is Lecturer in English at the University of Durham. Contributors: Neil Cartlidge, Penny Eley, David Ashurst, Meg Lamont, Laura Ashe, Judith Weiss, Gareth Griffith, Kate McClune, Nancy Mason Bradbury, Ad Putter, Robert Rouse, Siobhain Bly Calkin, James Wade, Stephanie Vierick Gibbs Kamath

Investigations into the heroic - or not - behaviour of the protagonists of medieval romance. Medieval romances so insistently celebrate the triumphs of heroes and the discomfiture of villains that they discourage recognition of just how morally ambiguous, antisocial or even downright sinister their protagonists can be, and, correspondingly, of just how admirable or impressive their defeated opponents often are. This tension between the heroic and the antiheroic makes a major contribution to the dramatic complexity of medieval romance, but it is not an aspect of the genre that has been frequently discussed up until now. Focusing on fourteen distinct characters and character-types in medieval narrative, this book illustrates the range of different ways in which the imaginative power and appeal of romance-texts often depend on contradictions implicit in the very ideal of heroism. NEIL CARTLIDGE is Professor of English Studies at the University of Durham Contributors: Neil Cartlidge, Penny Eley, David Ashurst, Meg Lamont, Laura Ashe, Judith Weiss, Gareth Griffith, Kate McClune, Nancy Mason Bradbury, Ad Putter, Robert Rouse, Siobhain Bly Calkin, James Wade, Stephanie Vierick Gibbs Kamath

Groundbreaking essays show the variety and complexity of the roles played by inquisition in medieval England. Inquisition in medieval and early modern England has typically been the subject of historical rather than cultural investigation, and focussed on heresy. Here, however, inquisition is revealed as playing a broader role in medievalEnglish culture, not only in relation to sanctions like excommunication, penance and confession, but also in the fields of exemplarity, rhetoric and poetry. Beyond its specific legal and pastoral applications, inquisitio was a dialogic mode of inquiry, a means of discerning, producing or rewriting truth, and an often adversarial form of invention and literary authority. The essays in this volume cover such topics as the theory and practice ofcanon law, heresy and its prosecution, Middle English pastoralia, political writing and romance. As a result, the collection redefines the nature of inquisition's role within both medieval law and culture, and demonstrates the extent to which it penetrated the late-medieval consciousness, shaping public fame and private selves, sexuality and gender, rhetoric, and literature. Mary C. Flannery is a lecturer in English at the University of Lausanne; Katie L. Walter is a lecturer in English at the University of Sussex. Contributors: Mary C. Flannery, Katie L. Walter, Henry Ansgar Kelly, Edwin Craun, Ian Forrest, Diane Vincent, Jenny Lee, James Wade, Genelle Gertz, Ruth Ahnert, Emily Steiner

Sir Torrent of Portingale is a romance written to entertain fifteenth-century audiences with action-packed tales of love and adventure. It is a story about the lovers Torrent, a young knight from Portugal, and Desonell, the feisty and resourceful daughter of a tyrannical king. Adventures include fights with dragons, giants, and savage beasts; perilous sea journeys; magic horses and swords; sieges and wars in the Holy Land. This new edition collates the surviving manuscript and print fragments with commentary and notes.

A young man, Jim, with two important overriding principles, lust and intoxication, sets off for Europe in the late 1990's. He has a backpack, a guide book and a trusty pair of Birkenstock sandals as his key possessions. His goal is to lose himself and possibly to profess his love to the vivacious girl who grew up down the street from him, Elizabeth, but that part will definitely hit some lifestyle snags and may never happen at all. Does love even fit inside his cloudy mind or will lust and selfishness keep him from discovering some hope for the future? Sit back and enjoy the ride as you bounce through Europe with a grungy American protagonist who could sink his own ship at any time, but hopes to come out the other side a better man. Enjoy his sexy, but confused love interest, as she teases him through Italy and takes off her top on the beautiful Islands of Greece. There is definitely sex, drugs, adventure and some real emotion along the way. Happy endings are for suckers, right?

A stirring and inspiring tale of survival, "A Mountain of Gold" is as memorable as it is educational.

An aged diary is discovered in the mountains of North Georgia, USA. In it is revealed the life of a teenage boy and his experiences growing up in the 1840s in a wild land stolen from the local Indians. Changes in his life lead him into a very close relationship with Nature-so close he can no longer relate to civilized human beings.

A Mountain of Gold was written for youth ages 12 and older, but has been received with highest praise from adult readers. The book is not only a great adventure, but inspires dialogue and reflection. It delivers lessons in history, ethics, biology, economics, and English vocabulary from an earlier age.

An Introduction to Christian Ministry for Lay and Clergy Persons in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Real Faith Stands Through faith I can do anything but fail. The seed of the successor is equivalent to the top of the highest mountain, but the seed of the endures goes beyond measurements. I have dealt with hurts, pains, deaths, sorrows, tears, laughter, bitterness, anger, malice, envies, torments, losses, and much much, more, but I shall not deal with defeat. Defeat is to conquer. I will strive to have faith as the mustard seed. When I am down I will rise above the occasion of my situation. I will gain the strength through the source of my faith and confess the risen savior, Jesus the Christ. That mustard seed will I be that muscles its way through the rocky land. I am He. He who when I have planted myself deep below the surface that the only way out is up. I will lift up my eye unto the hills which cometh my health. I will rise through the hardest of triumphs. Once I am Up, I shall branch out to share with this world my good news. For as I am call upon I shall answer. I shall never be silent, but I will know when to listen. And when it is time, I shall share my great fortune. I will then again open my mouth to unleash the abundance of my heart. For the joy of my salvation is in the Lord. Those whom will hear, let them to listen, but those who chooses not, let them sit up erected to watch the ways of my living. Though I may sometimes tarry. It shall not be long. The enemies for my footstool have been places in the four corners of the earth. I shall not forget that they are there. I have made clear my pathway through the name of my heavenly father. Nothing shall prevalence me. The hands of my predator can not pluck me from the joy that has been bestowed upon me. I shall and will be avessel that overflows with living water. My heart is overwrought with so much joy that I can not contain it all. Even though my outward appearance may look weary, my soul makes boast my triumphs. My roots are as living vessels that are nourished to the fullness of my faith. I am tha