Citation

Peacey J. Hist. Res. 2007; 80(210): 491-517.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1468-2281.2006.00390.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article demonstrates that there is more than one context in which to place early modern polemical pamphlets, and by submitting one particular tract from 1642 to intellectual, political and bibliographical contextualization, it highlights the implications for our understanding of a particular work's ‘meaning’ and purpose. By means of a close textual reading, as well as a detailed archival examination of ‘three kingdoms’ political manoeuvring, and examination of copy-specific information, it indicates that early modern politicians had a subtle understanding of the utility of print, and of the need to reach out to different political audiences in different ways.