Jack Upland facts for kids
Jack Upland (also known as Jack up Lande) is an old book from around 1389–1396. It's a strong argument, likely written by a group called the Lollards. They were people who wanted to change the church. This book is like a follow-up to another famous work called Piers Plowman.
In Jack Upland, the main character, Jack, asks a "flattering friar" (a religious person who begs for a living) almost 70 questions. These questions strongly criticize the begging religious orders. Jack shows how these groups have moved away from what the Bible teaches. The book suggests that bad influences are attacking Christians through wrong confessions.
Contents
Responses to Jack Upland
After Jack Upland was written, two other books appeared that answered Jack's questions.
Responsiones ad Questiones LXV
One of these books is called Responsiones ad Questiones LXV. It was written before 1396. This book directly responds to the questions Jack asked.
Friar Daw's Reply
The second book is Friar Daw's Reply, written around 1420. This text strongly criticizes John Wycliffe. Wycliffe was an important religious thinker who had different ideas from the official church. Friar Daw's Reply calls him one of history's main "heretics." A heretic is someone whose beliefs go against what the main church teaches.
Upland's Rejoinder
An unknown writer then responded to Friar Daw's Reply. This response is called Upland's Rejoinder. It can be found written in the margins of the Friar Daw's Reply manuscript. Upland's Rejoinder uses even stronger language. It claims that Friar Daw tries to convince young sons of honest farmers to become "worldly beggars." It says they would turn away from true religious rules.
Printing and Popularity
Jack Upland became quite popular over time.
Early Printings
The book was first printed by itself around 1536–1540. This was done by a printer named John Gough.
Attribution to Chaucer
Later, in 1563 and 1570, John Foxe included Jack Upland in his famous book, Acts and Monuments. Foxe believed that the famous poet Geoffrey Chaucer had written Jack Upland. In 1602, Thomas Speght also included Jack Upland in his edition of Chaucer's collected works.
Modern Editions
In 1968, P.L. Heyworth published all three works together. This included Jack Upland, Friar Daw's Reply, and Upland's Rejoinder. This collection was published by Oxford University Press. These three works also appeared in a doctoral paper in 1972 by John Roger Holdstock.
See also
