Three Sixteenth-Century Dietaries

Early modern dietaries are prose texts that recommend the best way to maintain physical and psychological well-being. Three sixteenth-century dietaries, such as Thomas Elyot's Castle of Health, Andrew Boorde's Compendious Regiment, and William Bullein's Government of Health, are introduced, contextualized, and edited for the first time in a modern spelling edition. The volume includes an examination of the dietary genre, its relationship to humanism, humor theory, and the wide range of authorities with which the dietary authors engaged.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 344 pages
Publication date: 20 September 2022
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Early modern diets were written texts that provided guidance on how to achieve optimal physical and mental health. During the sixteenth century, three renowned diets emerged: Thomas Elyot's Castle of Health, Andrew Boorde's Compendious Regiment, and William Bullein's Government of Health. These diets were highly popular and influential, serving as a standard for individuals seeking to enhance their well-being. Presented here for the first time in a modern spelling edition, these diets have been carefully contextualized, edited, and introduced. An introductory section explores the dietary genre, its connections to humanism, humor theory, and the diverse range of authorities consulted by the dietary authors. The volume includes an in-depth examination of the bibliographical and publication history of each work, comprehensive explanatory notes, appendices that offer prefaces to earlier editions, a glossary, and a comprehensive list of authorities and works cited or alluded to in the diets.

Early modern diets were written texts that provided guidance on how to achieve optimal physical and mental health. During the sixteenth century, three renowned diets emerged: Thomas Elyot's Castle of Health, Andrew Boorde's Compendious Regiment, and William Bullein's Government of Health. These diets were highly popular and influential, serving as a standard for individuals seeking to enhance their well-being. Presented here for the first time in a modern spelling edition, these diets have been carefully contextualized, edited, and introduced. An introductory section explores the dietary genre, its connections to humanism, humor theory, and the diverse range of authorities consulted by the dietary authors. The volume includes an in-depth examination of the bibliographical and publication history of each work, comprehensive explanatory notes, appendices that offer prefaces to earlier editions, a glossary, and a comprehensive list of authorities and works cited or alluded to in the diets.

Weight: 526g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526166951