Michael C. Schoenfeldt here offers the first major exploration of the connections between George Herbert's devotional poetry and the social practices and political discourse of his day. Viewing The Temple and The Country Parson as part of the larger "civilizing process" of Western Europe, Schoenfeldt shows how Herbert discovers in the discourses of courtesy and theology a common vocabulary of authority, selfhood, petition, and discipline. Before entering the priesthood, Herbert nourished contacts in court, was elected University Orator at Cambridge, and served in Parliament. In turning to God, Schoenfeldt argues, Herbert did not simply turn away from the secular world but also turned its language, particularly the language of courtesy, into the medium for his lyric worship of God. The confluence of courtesy and spirituality in Herbert's poetry provides a fascinating insight into a society searching for an appropriate discourse of reverence in a time of baffling change. The first five chapters investigate the manifold ways in which Herbert's life and works exemplify the interdependence of social and religious behavior in the English Renaissance. The sixth and final chapter extends this investigation into the nervous eroticism of Herbert's poems. Considering The Temple as well as Herbert's letters, speeches, Latin poems, collections of foreign proverbs, translations, The Country Parson, and less familiar lyrics, Schoenfeldt offers a thorough and detailed reading of Herbert's rich and conflicted corpus. Prayer and Power is not only a bold redefinition of the accomplishment of one of the finest poets of the English Renaissance but also the first sustained study to advance a cultural poetics of the religious lyric.

The bodies of tradition discussed here range from the Puritan concept of nature to Puritan casuistry. Three of the traditions presented - nature, casuistical, and elegiac - are analyzed for the way in which they help us understand the basic ideas in and the development of Taylor's poetry.

The basic premise of the book at hand is that there is meaning to be 'excavated' (in both meanings of the word) from Christian responses to pagan sculpture in the period from the fourth to the sixth century. More than mindless acts of religious violence by fanatical mobs, these responses are revelatory of contemporary conceptions of images and the different ways in which the material manifestations of the pagan past could be negotiated in Late Antiquity. Statues were important to the social, political and religious life of cities across the Mediterranean, as well as part of a culture of representation that was intricately bound to bodily taxonomies and visual practices.

"The Handbook of Religions in Ancient Europe" surveys the major religious currents of Europe before Christianity - the first continental religion with hegemonic ambition - wiped out most local religions. The evidence - whether archaeological or written - is notoriously difficult to interpret, and the variety of religions documented by the sources and the range of languages used are bewildering. The "Handbook" brings together leading authorities on pre-Christian religious history to provide a state-of-the-art survey. The first section of the book covers the Prehistoric period, from the Paleolithic to the Bronze Age. The second section covers the period since writing systems began. Ranging across the Mediterranean and Northern, Celtic and Slavic Europe, the essays assess the archaeological and textual evidence. Dispersed archaeological remains and biased outside sources constitute our main sources of information, so the complex task of interpreting these traces is explained for each case. The "Handbook" also aims to highlight the plurality of religion in ancient Europe: the many ways in which it is expressed, notably in discourse, action, organization, and material culture; how it is produced and maintained by different people with different interests; how communities always connect with or disassociate from adjunct communities and how their beliefs and rituals are shaped by these relationships. The "Handbook" will be invaluable to anyone interested in ancient History and also to scholars and students of Religion, Anthropology, Archaeology, and Classical Studies.

For the mercenary group employed by the city of Jenaut, Demons seem to remain as the only great threat they would ever see. Five years and the burden of life begin to set and stress bonds. Yet, a lone power sits upon the horizon and grows ever increasingly hostile towards them. A tense anger carried on the air in whispers and remains on the tips of tongues. A constricting and fearful power, it seems the mercenaries stand powerless before it. Aid comes from places unexpected and emerges from shadows of nightmares only to disappear when they turn. Shortly, they begin to understand that Sylsteruin, their world, contains more frightening entities than they ever could dream. One such entity, watching with a growing hunger, begins to question the very foundations the Gods set forth as the world tips closer to war between Summoners, heralds of Gods. Will they find themselves lost in the maws of creatures mad? Will they change the words as Fate reads them? She cannot know, no one can know.

FATES WILL COLLIDE IN THE FINAL BOOK IN THE SENSATIONAL FATE & FLAME SERIES – AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER NOW! ‘Prophecy always finds a way.’ The will of the fates has come to pass. Monsters swarm from the depths, while dragons soar overhead. And the throne of Islor lies vacant... but not for long. Fleeing the merciless sirens, Tyree and Annika find themselves stranded on a distant shore. Forced together to survive, they find old magics and terrifying new enemies. For Romeria and Zander, the long-held secrets of the casters’ magic reveal a chance to finally master the power that has held all their lives in the balance for too long. But with power comes betrayal. And sacrifices must be made. The final book in the captivating Fate & Flame series: a fantasy romance from the author of The Simple Wild. _______ PRAISE FOR THE FATE & FLAME SERIES: 'THE SLOW BURN IS TO DIE FOR' 5* reader review 'Political intrigue, sexual tension, slow burns, the most perfect enemies to lovers and swoony kings!... I did NOT realise how obsessed I would become.' 5* reader review 'An exciting and unpredictable fantasy story with a chemistry-filled enemies-to-lovers romance... I loved it!' 5* reader review 'Intense, action-packed, magical, and full of passion.' 5* reader review 'An enchanting and incredibly well written book with outstanding world building and the kind of deeply rooted character development I love.' 5* reader review 'I could not be more obsessed with this book.' 5* reader review