The Dragon and the Dove makes the original and controversial claim that Thomas Dekker, the author of plays blending satire, hagiography, and propaganda, was a militant Protestant. This study, whilst carefully analysing seven of his plays, takes The Whore of Babylon to be his central work and the definitive militant Protestant play. Militant Protestants were uncompromising in their beliefs and frequently came into conflict with the policies of the Crown. Apocalyptic ideas, and a vision of the international True Church struggling against the dragon of Rome, provide the key to understanding all Dekker's work. This book takes a completely fresh view of Dekker and presents him as a bold, pugnacious dramatist, writing for the London public, not merely the Court, and constantly experimenting with form in order to find a vehicle for his strong convictions.
