1650 in literature

This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1650. Events February 22 – Parliament appoints a commission for the propagation and preaching of the gospel in Wales, advised by Vavasor Powell. The Act for the better propagation and preaching of the Gospel in Wales is passed by Parliament, resulting in the ejection of dissident clergymen and creating English-language schools. November – Blaise Pascal and his family return to Paris, after an 18-month retreat to Clermont-Ferrand. unknown dates Despite the official prohibition against stage plays in England, theatrical manager and promoter William Beeston finances repairs to the Cockpit Theatre and attempts to assemble and train a company of young actors. His effort is unsuccessful. Under this year's Blasphemy Act, English radical Jacob Bauthumley is arrested, convicted and has his tongue pierced on account of his book The Light and Dark Sides of God. Robert Baron publishes his plagiarized work Pocula Castalia, stealing mainly from the minor poems of John Milton issued in 1645. At about this date Agneta Horn writes her autobiography, Agneta Horns leverne, in Swedish; it will not be discovered until 1885. New books Prose Elias Ashmole – Fasciculus Chemicus Richard Flecknoe – The Idea of His Highness Oliver ... Jonas Moore – Moores Arithmetick Francisco de Quevedo – La hora de todos y la fortuna con seso George Walker – Anglo-Tyrannus