New Annotations Discovered in John Milton’s Handwriting
Scholars have discovered rare handwritten annotations by John Milton in a copy of Raphael Holinshed's "Chronicles" at a library in Phoenix, Arizona. The annotations include an instance of what has been described as 'prudish censorship' by Milton, who is renowned for his epic poem "Paradise Lost."
Published around 20 years before Milton's birth, Holinshed's "Chronicles" is an extensive account of English, Irish, and Scottish history. In the annotated copy, Milton crossed out a lewd anecdote about Arlete, the mother of William the Conqueror, deeming it 'inappropriate.' The original passage describes Arlete tearing her smock to maintain modesty during an encounter with Robert I of Normandy.
Professor Jason Scott-Warren of Cambridge University's English faculty confirmed the handwriting as Milton's. He noted that the term 'pedlerly,' used by Milton to express his contempt, was rare at the time, highlighting Milton’s unique linguistic style.
Dr. Aaron Pratt, a curator at the University of Texas, identified the annotations by recognizing distinctive features in the handwriting, such as peculiar forms of the letter 'e' and characteristic brackets.
This discovery is one of only three known books containing Milton's handwritten notes. Details of the find were published in the Times Literary Supplement.
About "Paradise Lost"
John Milton's "Paradise Lost" is a seminal 17th-century epic poem recounting the biblical story of the Fall of Man. First published in 1667, it spans over 10,000 lines of verse across ten books, later revised into twelve books in 1674. The poem explores themes of temptation, sin, and redemption, aiming to justify the ways of God to men.
Word count: 254 words