He argues that the use of such records reveals not only the nature of sexual behaviour that was considered criminal, but also what society established as the norm. Through this examination of illicit sexuality, Ruggiero sheds light on the institutions, languages, social life and values not only of this shadow-culture, but also of Venetian society and, ultimately, the Renaissance itself.

    Displaying all the variety and richness that characterize verse drama at its best, the plays appear here in the order in which they were first performed.

    This book was published to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Richard's death at the Battle of Bosworth; it is superbly illustrated and some of the pictures were produced especially for this book.