This collection of essays contributes to the growing field of 'encounter
studies' within the domain of cultural history. The strength of this
work is the multi- and interdisciplinary approach, with papers on a
broad range of historical times, places, and subjects. While each essay
makes a valuable and original contribution to its relevant field(s), the
collection as a whole is an attempt to probe more general questions and
issues concerning the productive outcomes of cultural encounters
throughout the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods.
The collection is divided into three sections organised thematically and
chronologically. The first, 'Encounters with the Past, ' focuses on the
reception of classical antiquity in medieval images and texts from
France, Italy and the British Isles. The second, 'Encounters with
Religion, ' presents a selection of instances in which political,
philosophical and natural philosophical issues arise within
inter-religious contexts. The final section, 'Encounters with Humanity,
' contains essays on early science fiction, political symbolism, and
Elizabethan drama theory, all of which deal with the conception and
expression of humanity, on both the individual and societal level.
This volume's wide range of topics and methodological approaches makes
it an important point of reference for researchers and practitioners
within the humanities who have an interest in the (cross-)cultural
history of the medieval and Renaissance periods.
