Blacke Bookes Messenger 1592 & ' Cuthbert Conny-Catcher ' the Defence of Conny-Catching 1592

"The Blacke Bookes Messenger" and "The Defence of Conny-Catching" represent a fascinating glimpse into the vibrant and dangerous criminal underworld of late sixteenth-century London. These Elizabethan "conny-catching" pamphlets, attributed to Robert Greene and the pseudonymous Cuthbert Conny-catcher, belong to a popular genre of prose that exposed the tricks, scams, and clandestine lives of urban rogues and swindlers.

In "The Blacke Bookes Messenger", the narrative centers on the life and death of Ned Browne, a notorious cutpurse and horse-stealer whose exploits serve as both entertainment and a moral warning. The companion piece, "The Defence of Conny-Catching", offers a satirical rebuttal, arguing that the petty thievery of the streets pales in comparison to the legal and social exploitations practiced by more respectable members of society. Together, these works provide invaluable insights into the social history, street slang, and literary culture of the Tudor era. This collection preserves the raw energy and linguistic flair of Renaissance prose, making it an essential resource for scholars of English literature and those interested in the historical origins of true crime writing.

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