Tudor and Stuart Love Songs by John Potter Briscoe is a beautifully curated collection of poems and songs from the Tudor and Stuart era. The book offers a glimpse into the romantic and emotional landscape of this time period, showcasing the themes of love, passion, and desire that were prevalent among the nobility and commoners alike.

Briscoe's selection of songs and poems is diverse, ranging from well-known works by Shakespeare and Jonson to lesser-known pieces by anonymous authors. The book provides valuable insight into the cultural attitudes towards love and courtship during the Tudor and Stuart periods, highlighting the complexities and nuances of romantic relationships in a time of political intrigue and social hierarchy.

Overall, Tudor and Stuart Love Songs is a captivating and enlightening read for anyone interested in the history of love and romance in early modern England. Briscoe's meticulous research and thoughtful commentary add depth and context to the poems, making this book a must-read for fans of literature, history, and romance.

Book Description:
The spirit of reform which was developed during the early part of the sixteenth century brought about a desire on the part of young men of means to travel on the continent of Europe. This was for the purpose of making themselves acquainted with the politics, social life, literature, art, science, and commerce of the various nations of the same, especially of France, Spain, and Italy. These young Englishmen on their return introduced into the society in which they mixed not only the politenesses of these countries, but the wit of Italy, and the character of the poetry which was then in vogue in Southern Europe. Among these travellers during the reign of Henry the Eighth were Sir Thomas Wyatt and the Earl of Surrey. These courtiers possessed the poetical faculty, and therefore paid special attention to literary form. As a result they introduced the Sonnet of the Petrarchan type into England. The amorous verse of the inhabitants of these sunny climes took hold of the young Englishmen. Many men of rank and education, who did not regard themselves as of the world of letters, penned pleasant verse, much of it being of an amatory character based upon that of the Italians. During the reign of "Good Queen Bess" England was full of song. Of the writers of love verses William Watson occupied a very high, probably the highest, position during the time of Elizabeth. A glance at the Table of Contents of this volume will show that some of the best poets who were born between the years 1503 and 1679 have handed down to us poetical contributions of this character. - Summary by J.P. Briscoe