The Practical Renaissance: Information Culture and the Quest for Knowledge in Early Modern England, 1500-1640

During the 16th and 17th centuries, people in early modern England sought information in prescriptive publications such as plague tracts, husbandry handbooks, recipe books, and navigation manuals. These texts demonstrated a universal desire for health, wealth, a fortified body, and an orderly household. The Practical Renaissance explores the diffusion and reception of these publications, showing how classical and continental information had been Englished over time and how new publications supplanted traditional ideas with more empirical and authoritative knowledge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

In the vibrant tapestry of early modern England, a profound quest for knowledge and information unfolded, driven by the universal desire for health, wealth, and a well-ordered existence. During this transformative era, prescriptive publications emerged as beacons of wisdom, illuminating the path to a fortified body and an orderly household. These texts, published in an age of dynamic religious and political change, showcased the fusion of classical and continental knowledge, which had been translated and adapted over time.

The Practical Renaissance, authored by Donna Seger, delves into the intricate diffusion and reception of these prescriptive publications across the 16th and 17th centuries. It unveils how new publications, armed with empirical and authoritative knowledge, supplanted traditional ideas, shaping the intellectual landscape of the time.

The opening chapters of The Practical Renaissance delve into the factors that influenced the widespread dissemination of practical knowledge through prescriptive texts. Part two explores the dynamic interplay between new discoveries and established authority, while the final section examines the debates surrounding the medical marketplace, the concept of "knowledge-mongerers," and the commodification of knowledge during this period.

This comprehensive exploration offers a fresh perspective on the movement in which knowledge and information became powerful agents of change. Through its meticulous examination of popular and pragmatic expressions, The Practical Renaissance provides a valuable window into the lives of individuals in early modern England, revealing their aspirations, challenges, and the pursuit of a better future.

Weight: 388g
Dimension: 157 x 234 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350200241