A critical edition of William Bonde's Consolatori of Timorouse and Fearefull Consciencys; With introduction, note, bibliography and glossary

Abstract

The aim of this thesis is to provide the first modern critical edition of the early sixteenth century treatise The Consolatori of Timorouse and Fearefull Consciencys, by William Bonde, priest-brother of Syon Abbey. This work exists in two undated editions printed in 1527? and 1535?, there being two issues of the second. The text submitted here has been based on that of the first issue of the 1535? edition, with collation of variant readings. The Introduction is in sections. Section I describes the three versions, and attempts to give an account of their relationship. Section II deals with matters connected with the author, such as his life, his background as a Bridgettine of Syon Abbey, and his other work, The Pilgrimage of Perfection. In Section III a brief summary of the subject-matter of the Consolatori is given, together with an examination of key terms employed; it also contains discussion of Bonde's use of sources, and of his style and language. Section IV is a statement of the editorial methods by which the text of this edition has been prepared. Topics less important to the Consolatori than those included in the Introduction are placed in the Appendices, of which the first describes Bonde's gifts to Syon library, and the second the two editions of the Pilgrimage. The Notes comment on source- material and parallels with the Pilgrimage, and also include linguistic, textual and explanatory matter. The Glossary has been made comprehensive to facilitate a thorough linguistic survey of William Bonde's usage in the Consolatori. There is a separate Glossary to the Printer's Prologue found in one edition, and an Index of Proper Names is also given. Books found useful in preparing this edition are listed in the Bibliography, which is arranged to correspond with the sections of the thesis.