Re-assessing the ars moriendi: good and bad deaths in early modern England

• Published in: The Seventeenth century Vol. 38; no. 1; pp. 5 - 21
• Main Author: Capp, Bernard
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Durham Routledge 02.01.2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: 17th century; ars moriendi; Attitudes; death; Death & dying; Early modern period; John Chamberlain; reputation; Reputations

The mediaeval concept of the 'good death' lived on into the early modern period, suitably modified, through prescriptive and descriptive accounts that emanated from the ranks of the godly. How far the same understanding was shared across the wider society is a question that has been little...