• Introduction: Pirates and Pens; Chapter 1 London Middle-Class Writing: The Institutional Bases; Chapter 2 ‘An Inextricable Labyrinth’: The Major Genres of Civic Life; Chapter 3 English Middle-Class Writing in the Earlier Fifteenth Century: The Vernacular Letters; Chapter 4 Women’s Letters and Men’s Books; Chapter 5 Conclusions and Speculations;

'[an] excellent book ... Richardson wittily introduces the ubiquity of the written word in late medieval society, and his lively style-full of dry asides and references on medieval parallels in modern society-propels the reader along through four substantial chapters.' English Historical Review 'Richardson's work is rich in detail, and he fleshes out his overview of urban documentary production and letter-writing with often captivating illustration.' Medium/Aevum 'Richardson has traced the gradual use of the written word among the middle class and the tentative emergence of English as the language of choice.' Journal of British Studies