This anthology of texts has been edited by the project team, with short introductions and annotations, to showcase the variety and interest of early modern writing in and around Exeter. The texts make use of a wide range of genres to express and contest both religious and local civic identities.
1589 – Anne Dowriche
The French Historie
edited by Philip Schwyzer
I am a stranger wight
1642 – John Bond
A Doore of Hope
edited by Niall Allsopp
Hath the Lord placed this City in the midst of our County, as a Beacon upon an hill
1643-46 – Robert Herrick
Poems to King Charles and Prince Charles
edited by Hannah Dow
War, which before was horrid, now appears
Lovely in you, brave Prince of Cavaliers!
1651 – W. S.
Poetry written in Exeter Jail
edited by Niall Allsopp
this Manuscript the fruits of my solitude whilst under restraint
1659 – Susanna Parr
Susanna’s Apology Against the Elders
edited by Hannah Dow
if I be contentious for opposing such a one, let me be contentious still
1693/1714 – George Trosse
The Life of the Rev. Mr. George Trosse
edited by David Parry
I was making a Progress into the Depths of Hell
1740 – Joseph Hallett III
Sermon preached November 5th
edited by David Parry
the Zealots increas’d to above ten thousand, and march’d in a full Body to Exeter