Sir John Harington (1560-1612) has long been recognized as one of the most colorful and engaging figures at the English Renaissance court. Godson of Queen Elizabeth, translator of Ariosto, and inventor of the water-closet, he was also a lively writer in a wide variety of modes, and an acute commentator on his times. Combining detailed readings and first-hand historical research, this study reconstructs the complex, often devious agenda that Harington wrote into his books as he customized them for specific individuals and occasions.

• Acknowledgements


• List of Illustrations


• List of Abbreviations


• Note on Texts


• Introduction


• 1: Harington, Ariosto, and the Textual Economy of the Court


• 2: Privy Politics


• 3: Out of the Closet


• 4: Part of the Furniture


• 5: Forging the Future


• 6: Producing Prophecy


• 7: Elizabeth's Witty Godson under James


• Conclusion


• Bibliography


• Index

Jason Scott-Warren is Lecturer, Dept of English and Related Literature, University of York