ABSTRACT
There is an essential connection between satire and politics in the widest sense: satire is not only commonest form of political literature, but, insofar as it tries to influence public behaviour, it is the most political part of all literature. Most of the great satirists have in fact been deeply interested in politics, and most have been against the established government of their countries. The long history of persecution which is part of the nightmare of European history, and has signalised the church's chief incursion into politics: the church's reliance on the civil power to carry out these persecutions has often led to its support of political tyranny. The humour is rather naive and brutal, but the work is imaginative enough to be considered true literary satire, as well as an effective instrument in ecclesiastical politics. English politics became more mature, as the rudiments of Cabinet government and party groupings developed; and consequently political satire became more philosophical and responsible.
