Law as Literature, Literature as Law c. 1200–1700

In Measure for Measure, Shakespeare’s severe justice Angelo urges the problems that might arise from a static conception of the law: ‘We must not make a scarecrow of the law, setting it up to fear the birds of prey and let it keep one shape till custom make it their perch and not their terror’ (2.1.1–4). Despite Angelo’s temporary authority and corrupt nature, the play illustrates literature’s ability to scrutinise the boundaries of legal power. Yet Shakespeare’s contemporaries also viewed the legal realm as an instructive performance space, as John Holles advises his son that ‘More instruction is to be had at the starr-chamber than at the globe.’

This dichotomy encapsulates the intricate connections between law and literature, considered in this volume by approaching law as literature and literature as law. The present book brings together legal and literary experts to explore these ideas, with perspectives from established academics, early career scholars, and postgraduate students. The chapters examine medieval chronicles, poems, legal treatises, early modern plays, novels, cases, handbooks, and more. Themes include law in literature, legal literature, law as performance, and literature as a legal medium.

The volume serves as an essential resource for academics seeking to enrich their understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped medieval and early modern societies. Its relevance to contemporary discussions surrounding interdisciplinary methodologies also positions the collection as an essential addition to the libraries of scholars and students interested in the ongoing dialogue between law and the humanities.