We are seeking papers for a panel at RSA 2025 in Boston that address laboring writers--not so much writing as labor, but writers whose primary identity is as a laborer, peasant, artisan, or craftsperson from any geographic region. Such writers are often neglected in favor of courtiers and their clients. Indeed, some of how we conceive of “the literary” today is informed by the tastes of the ruling elite of the early modern period. This panel thus aims to recover non-elite voices of the past.

Some questions papers might address: How did laboring writers represent labor and the laboring class? How do such writers situate themselves in relation to the court, the state, or the literary canon? What do gender relations look like when we focus on workers rather than courtiers and university wits? What social networks existed for the laboring class writer? Does the ecophobia of the period look different through peasant eyes? Is there a unique non-courtly style for laboring class writers?

Writing here is understood broadly: poetry, prayers, petitions, sermons, libels, even records of court testimony.

Papers might focus on early modern England, Spain, France, Italy, or other geographic location and writing is here understood broadly.

Papers of 15-20 minutes reading length addressing the above are welcome. Please begin by submitting an abstract of 150 words to Scott Oldenburg soldenbu@tulane.edu (with the subject heading "Laboring Writers") by June 15, 2024.