A Mirror for Magistrates
Quick Summary
A Mirror for Magistrates is an English poetry collection first published in 1559, with enlarged editions following in 1563, 1578, and 1587. This work is a compilation of verse laments, attributed to various authors, that recount the tragic stories of historical figures, particularly those involved in the Wars of the Roses.1
The collection's primary purpose was to convey a Tudor political message, emphasizing the doctrine of obedience. While the overall quality of the poems is uneven, notable contributions include Thomas Sackville's "Induction" and Thomas Churchyard's "Legend of Shore's Wife". The interweaving of history, tragedy, and political morality within A Mirror for Magistrates proved influential on the development of English drama. The collection emerged during a period of increasing confidence in the English language for literary purposes and a growing readership, following innovations like the public availability of lyric poetry through printed miscellanies.1
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