Introduction

The introduction provides biographical information and summarises Philip Butterworth’s writing and practice with regard to medieval and early modern theatre. A rationale is provided for the selection of material that composes this volume. The structure of the book is explained, and a brief summary is provided of chapter content and thematic links between chapters as suggested by the volume title. Butterworth’s work is then contextualised within the remit of the series Shifting Paradigms in Early English Drama Studies, placing emphasis on his employment of both documentary evidence and practice-as-research.