'THE POOREMANS JOY AND THE GENTLEMANS PLAGUE': A LINCOLNSHIRE LIBEL AND THE POLITICS OF SEDITION IN EARLY MODERN ENGLAND.

The article discusses the use of defamatory and libelous popular literature in early modern British literature. It describes the influence of libels on popular culture in 17th century England, the seditious libel sent to the Earl of Rutland and the ways in which libelous literature encouraged or caused social unrest, and the psycho-sexual gender identities and stereotypes expressed in libels. Other subjects under discussion include the poetical aspects of libelous literature, the social relationship between British aristocracy and poor people, and the socio-economic class distinctions in the county of Lincolnshire.