How did itinerant poets in the Southern Song Dynasty make a living?

Abstract

How did itinerant poets in the Southern Song Dynasty make a living? This is still a question yet to be further explored. People used to think that itinerant poets made a living primarily by calling on noble and influential people and appealing to them for help. However, this presumption is not without its flaws. Based upon a large quantity of historical data, this paper reveals some of the means of support by which the itinerant poets made a living, while further probing into their livelihoods during this time period.

Keywords

itinerant poets, making a living, economic resources