Englishing Paolo Sarpi and gelding the Pope in England, 1606−1620

• Published in: The Seventeenth century Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 731 - 756
• Main Author: Kern, Darcy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Durham Routledge 02.09.2024; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: 17th century; Anglican churches; British English; Catholic Church; Catholicism; Church of England; England; Italian language; Language history; Popes; print culture; Translation; Translators; Venetian language; Venice; Venice Italy; Italy
• ISSN: 0268-117X; 2050-4616
• DOI: 10.1080/0268117X.2024.2389546

An important reason for the success of the Venetian Paolo Sarpi's ideas in England is found in the 'Englishing' of his printed works, that is, their adaptation and appropriation by printers and translators. During the Venetian interdict (c. 1606-1608), Sarpi's tracts were treated as timely, informative, and politically useful news. Englishing consisted of re-writing titles by adding bombastic phrases, changing printers' ornaments, and adding marginalia to help readers unfamiliar with Italy. In the History of the Council of Trent, published in 1619 (Italian) and 1620 (English), the Englishing became more substantive - adding lengthy prefaces, inserting words into Sarpi's text, and including the translator's name. The prefaces framed the book's contents, while the translator's name provided authority. The additional words made the English History even more partisan than the Italian Historia. Publishers and translators modified Sarpi's works to produce aggressive readings that diverged from his own political and religious goals.