In the Bedroom of the King: Affective Politics in the Restoration Secret History

摘要: In 1709, Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, wrote a letter warning Queen Anne rumors being spread about the queen's relationship with Abigail Masham, her current favorite, insinuating that subject gossip for subjects, either orally or in print, was itself problem. What is interesting Churchill's letter, which prompted by publication Delarivier Manley's popular secret history, The New Atalantis, how she links problem to genre history itself, gesturing toward low nature text, "not well written" (Private Correspondence 1: 244). Churchill writes, "that looks so much worse, it shews notion extensively among all sorts people" (1: 244, emphasis added).1 idea subjects may be judging queen and counselors clearly troubles Duchess, whose acknowledges political potential community readers brought together text.Churchill's recognition problems inherent this type early novel has been noted critics eighteenth-century histories: Nicola Parsons emphasizes concern, arguing "gossip, its reiteration mediated form could have serious material effects" (Reading Gossip 56). Increased scholarly power histories their role shaping reading practices eighteenth century renewed interest too-often denigrated overshadowed certain teleology novel.2 overlooked interested post-1688 actively exploited name factional politics before text caused such concern at court. 1680s, height Exclusion Crisis immediate aftermath, many texts-from John Dryden's well-known poem "Absalom Achitophel" (1681) Aphra Behn's Love Letters Between Nobleman his Sister (1684-87) more obscure, anonymous works like Perplex'd Prince ( 1682) Fugitive Statesman 1683)-intervened propaganda war surrounding question succession.Although these texts operate solely on level propaganda, use romance modes as generic cover provide subtle, ideological slant propagandistic purposes.3 contrast histories, Rebecca Bullard forcefully argues encourage "readers believe rulers are league against them suspicion Courts general" 4), under narratives affectively lessen distance between reader monarch/hero. By bringing into monarch's bedroom couching factionalism tale, created an affective intimacy Restoration monarch. This affinity, I argue, temporarily enabled illusory sense part subject, acted perceived entitlement sit judgment over behavior intensified through communities London's public spaces where socially oriented gathered share interpretations texts. interactions coalesced around contributed contemporary shifts concerning notions who had right speak judge society.Focusing two Charles II-The Sebastien Bremond's Hattige: Amours King Tatuaran originally published French 1676 first translated English 1680)-I will demonstrate England from 1660 1688 revolution after, rise party parliamentary century. …