ABSTRACT
Nineteenth-century representations of Jane Shore take up where the eighteenth-century "histories" leave off. This is not surprising given the vast re-printing of the latter texts, which extended well into the following century. Lucy Leman Rede begins by moralizing; although once in the story we are invited to enjoy the text and revel in its pathos, the initial introduction is severe, using language like "crimes" and "infamy" to describe Shore's career. Having imparted this obligatory censure, however, Rede proceeds along by now familiar lines, to which she adds some inventive embellishments. The marriage having taken place, King Edward gains admittance to the Shore household in disguise, garnering an invitation to dinner from the soon-to-be cuckold. Edward employs Mrs. Blague as a go-between, who reveals the identity of the attractive stranger to Jane, and makes her promise to conceal the fact from her husband.
