George Ashby (c. 1385-1475) was scribe of the signet seal for the Lancastrian royal family. He is known to have authored two poems: a mirror for princes for Prince Edward of Lancaster, the

Active Policy of a Prince

(c. 1462?, henceforth:

Active Policy

)

with the addendum

Dicta et Opiniones Diversorum Philosophorum

(henceforth:

Dicta

), and the prison poem

A Prisoner’s Reflections

(1463, henceforth:

Reflections

).

Little is known about Ashby’s early years. He entered royal service in the early 1400s in the household of Duke Humphrey of Gloucester, Henry V’s youngest brother. Here he received his education as a clerk, which he describes in Reflections:

Little is known about Ashby’s early years. He entered royal service in the early 1400s in the household of Duke Humphrey of Gloucester,…

1582 words

Citation: Douma, Aline. "George Ashby". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 06 November 2020 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=14542, accessed 28 March 2024.]

14542 George Ashby 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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