The widdow ranter or, The history of Bacon in Virginia
Subtitle: A tragi-comedy, acted by Their Majesties servants
By: Written by Mrs. A. Behn..
Contributors: Dryden, John, 1631-1700; Ternaux-Compans, Henri, 1807-1864
Publisher: Printed for James Knapton at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard.
Published: 1690
Place of publication: London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 56
Subjects: Bacon's Rebellion, 1676; Insurgency; Catalogs, Booksellers'; History
Other titles: Widdow ranter; History of Bacon in Virginia
Notes: Dedication signed: G.J.

The prologue, in verse, pages [5-6], 1st count, by John Dryden, is the one he wrote for Shadwell's "True widow". After his quarrel with Shadwell he gave it to Mrs. Behn for this play. See Cambridge history of English literature, v. 8, page 457.

The serious and historical portion of this play is founded on a contemporary pamphlet, "Strange news from Virginia being a full and true account of the life and death of Nathaniel Bacon" printed in London, 1677. See Works of Aphra Behn, edired by M. Summers, volume 4.

According to Sabin, the work "throws much light" on Bacon's rebellion, "exhibiting strongly the mismanagement of the colony, the incompetence of the authorities, etc., and the state of affairs which led to the outbreak".

Bacon's Rebellion was an armed rebellion held by Virginia settlers that took place from 1676 to 1677. It was led by Nathaniel Bacon against colonial Governor William Berkeley.

Signatures: A-H⁴ (A1 verso blank).

Bookseller's advertisements: page [8], 1st count.

Woodcut printer's ornaments on title page.

Macdonald, H. John Dryden, 122

Sabin, J. Dictionary of books relating to America from its discovery to the present time, 4372

Wing, D.G. Short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and British America, and of English books printed in other countries, 1641-1700 (2nd ed. 1994), B1774

Brown, J.C. Bibliotheca Americana (1875-1882 edition), II:1393

English short title catalogue, R34404

Purchase; 1846; 0544.