1761: The Making of the Reliques
1761: The Making of the Reliques
This chapter examines the early history and the preparations made by Thomas Percy for his Reliques of Ancient English Poetry. It suggests Percy's putative anthology was influenced by two original materials: Samuel Pepys' collection of 17th century broadsides and Percy's own collection of 18th century broadsides. Percy started transcribing Pepys' broadside ballads in August 1761 and the following month he began to plan the publication of the Reliques. His editorial method was based on the relationship between oral and literary sources. This chapter also discusses the problems encountered by Percy in the printing of the Reliques.
Keywords: Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, Thomas Percy, Samuel Pepys, broadside ballads, ancient poetry, literary antiquarianism
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