This book contains a collection of political verses, venality satires and songs of social protest from medieval England. First edited by Thomas Wright in 1839, these so- called "political songs" are reissued here on behalf of the Royal Historical Society. The collection provides a fascinating insight into medieval responses to contemporary events. A new and wide-ranging introduction by Peter Coss offers observations on authorship, audience, the means of dissemination and on the use of the languages involved. Professor Coss examines each item in its full context, making these fascinating verses accessible to the modern reader.