Which nowe is made, and fully edifyed, Where Geryn earle of Chartres then abode For which with hym to abyde he hyght ful sure1. Fuller affirms our author to have 'drunk as deep a draught of 'Helicon as any of his age.' An assertion partly true: it is certain, however, that the diction and imagery of our poetic composition would have remained in just the same state had Harding never wrote. In this reign, the first mention of the king's poet, under the appellation of LAUREATE, occurs. John Kay was appointed poet Laureate to Edward IV. It is extraordinary, that he should have left no pieces of poetry to prove his pretensions in some degree to this office, with which he is said to have been invested by the king, at his return from Italy. The only composition he has transmitted to posterity is a prose English translation of a Latin history of the Siege of Rhodes: in the dedication addressed to king Edward, or rather in the title, he styles himself hys humble poete laureate. Although this our laureate furnishes us with no materials as a poet, yet his office, which here occurs for the first time under this denomination, must not pass unnoticed in the annals of English poetry, and will produce a short digression. Great confusion has entered into this subject, on account of the degrees in grammar, which included rhetoric and versification3, 1 Ch. lxxxiv. fol. lxxvii. edit. Graft. 1543 2 MSS. Cotton. Brit Mus. VITELL. D. xii. 10. It was printed at London, 1506. This impression was in Henry Worsley's library, Cat. MSS. Angl. etc. tom. ii. p. 202. N. 6873. 25. I know nothing of the Latin; except that Gulielmus Caorsinus, vice-chancellor for forty years of the knights of Malta, wrote an OBSIDIO RHODIE URBIS, when it was in vain attempted to be taken by the Turks in 1480. Separately printed without date or place in quarto. It was also printed in German, Argentorat. 1513. The works of this Gulielmus, which are numerous, were printed together, at Ulm, 1496. fol, with rude wooden prints. See an exact account of this writer, Diar. Eruditor. Ital. tom. xxi. p. 412. One John Caius a poet of Cambridge is mentioned in sir T. More's WORKS, p. 204. And in Parker's Def. of Pr. Marr. against Martin, p. 99. 3 In the ancient statutes of the university of Oxford, every Regent Master in Grammar is prohibited from reading in his faculty, unless he first pass an examination DE MODO VERSIFICANDI et distandi, &c. MSS. Bibl. Bodl. fol. membran. Arch. A. 91. [nunc 2874.] f. 55. b. This scholastic cultivation of the art of PROSODY gave rise to many Latin systems of METRE about this period. Among others, Thomas Langley, a monk of Hulm in Norfolk, in the yer 1430, wrote, in two books, DE VARIETATE CARMINUM, Bibl. Bodl. MSS. Digb. 100. One John Seguard, a Latin poet and rhetorician of Norwich, about the year 1414, wrote a piece of this kind called METRISTENCHIRIDION, addressed to Courtney bishop of Norwich, treating of the nature of metre in general, and especially of the common metres of the Hymns of Boecius and Oracius [Horace.] Oxon. MSS. Coll. Merton. Q. iii. 1. 402 CREATION OF POET-LAUREAT, THEIR HONOUR AND DUTIES. anciently taken in our universities, particularly at Oxford: on which occasion, a wreath of laurel was presented to the new graduate, who was afterwards usually styled poeta laureatus1. These scholastic laureations, however, seem to have given rise to the appellation in question. I will give some instances at Oxford, which at the same time will explain the nature of the studies for which our accademical philologists received their rewards. About the year 1470, one John Watson, a student in grammar, obtained a concession to be graduated and laureated in that science; on condition that he composed one hundred Latin verses in praise of the university, and a Latin comedy2. Another grammarian was distinguished with the same badge, after having stipulated, that, at the next public Act, he would affix the same number of hexameters on the great gates of St Mary's church, that they might be seen by the whole university. This was at that period the most convenient mode of publication. [Ibid fol. 162.] About the same time, one Maurice Byrchensaw, a scholar in rhetoric, supplicated to be admitted to read lectures, that is, to take a degree, in that faculty; and his petition was granted, with a provision, that he should write one hundred verses on the glory of the university, and not suffer Ovid's ART OF LOVE, and the Elegies of Pamphilius, to be studied in his auditory. Not long afterwards, one John Bulman, another rhetorician, having complied with the terms imposed, of explaining the first book of Tully's OFFICES, and likewise the first of his EPISTLES, without any pecuniary emolument, was graduated in rhetoric and a crown of laurel was publicly placed on his head by the hands of the chancellor of the university. About the year 14896, Skelton was laureated at Oxford, and in the year 1493, was permitted to wear his laurel at Cambridge'. Robert Whittington 1 When any of these graduated grammarians were licenced to teach beys, they were publicly presented in the Convocation-house with a rod and ferrel Registz Uz Oxon G. fool a Registr. Univ. Oxon. G. fol. 143. I take this opportunity of acknowledging my chigations to the learned Mr. Swinton, keeper of the Archives at Oxford, for giving me frequent and free access to the Registers of that university. printed together by 3 Ovid's suppositious pieces, and other verses of the lower age, were Gollastes, Francof. 1516. Sva Among these is, Pamphili Maurini Arte Amandi, Elegiæ lil' This is from the same school with Ovid De Vær some thought to be forged by the same author. 4 Registr Univ. Oxen G fol. 134. a. by 5 Register, et supr. G. fol me h Caxton, in the preface to his English ExEYDOS, mentions 'mayster John Skellon, late 'created poete larreate in the university of Oxenford, &c." This work was printed a tea Churchyard mentions Skelton's accademical laureation, in his poem prežved to Skull's works, Lord, 13:8 Sva et sell be leve, rolètes to some isilmerion of habit, perhaps Selena sa i to have been poet aut He asc affords the last instance of a rhetorical degree at Oxford. He was a secular priest, and eminent for his various treatises in grammar, and for his facility in Latin poetry: having exercised his art many years, and submitting to the customary demand of an hundred verses, he was honoured with the laurel in the year 15121. This title is prefixed to one of his grammatical systems. 'ROBERTI WHITTINTONI Lichfeldiensis, Grammatices Magistri, PROTOVATIS Angliæ, in florentissima 'Oxoniensi Achademia LAUREATI, DE OCTO PARTIBUS ORATIONIS2.” In his PANEGYRIC to cardinal Wolsey, he mentious his laurel, Suscipe LAURICOMI Munuscula parva Roberti3. With regard to the Poet Laureate of the kings of England, an officer of the court remaining under that title to this day, he is undoubtedly the same that is styled the KING'S VERSIFIER, and to whom one hundred shillings were paid as his annual stipend, in the year 1251. But when or how that title commenced, and whether this officer was ever solemnly [crowned with laurel at his first investiture, I will not pretend to determine, after the searches of the learned Selden on this question have proved unsuccessful. It seems most probable, that the barbarous and inglorious name of VERSIFIER gradually gave place to an appellation of more elegance and dignity: or rather, that at length, those only were in general invited to this appointment, who had received accademical sanction, and had merited a crown of laurel in the universities for their abilities in Latin composition, particularly Latin versification. Thus the king's Laureate was nothing more than 'a graduated rhetorician employed in the service 'of the king.' That he originally wrote in Latin, appears from the ancient title versificator: and may be moreover collected from the two Latin poems, which Baston and Gulielmus, who appear to have respectively acted in the capacity of royal poets to Richard I. and Edward II. . officially composed on Richard's crusade, and Edward's siege of Striveling castle1. Andrew Bernard, successively poet laureate of Henry VII., affords a still stronger proof that this officer was a Latin Scholar. He was a native of Thoulouse, and an Augustine monk. He was not only the king's 1 Registr. Univ. Oxon. ut supr. G. 173. b. 187. b. 2 Lond. 1513. See the next note. 3 In his Opusculum Roberti Whittintoni in florentissima Oxoniensi achademia laureati,' Signat. A. iii. Bl. Let. 4to. Colophon, Expliciunt Roberti Whittintoni Oxonii protovatis epigrammata, una cum quibusdam panegyricis, impressa Londini per me Wynandum de Worde. Anno post virgineum partum M.Ccccc. xix. decimo vero Kal. Maii.' The Panegyrics are on Henry VIII. and cardinal Wolsey. The Epigrams, which are long copies of verse, are addressed to Charles Brandon duke of Suffolk, sir Thomas More, and to Skelton, under the title Ad lepidissimum poetam SCHELTONEM carmen, &c. Some of the lines are in a very classical style, and much in the manner of the earlier Latin Italian poets. At the end of these Latin poems is a defence of the author, called ANTILYCON, &C. This book is extremely scarce, and not mentioned by Wood, Ames, and some other collectors. These pieces are in manuscript, Oxon. MSS. Bodĺ. D. 3. 22. 4 By the way, Baston is called by Bale laureatus apud Oxonienses.' Cent. iv. cap. 98. 404 PRODUCTIONS OF THE LAUREAT IN LATIN, NOT IN ENGLISH. poet Laureate1, as it is supposed, but his historiographer, and preceptor in grammer to prince Arthur. He obtained many ecclesiastical preferments in England. All the pieces now to be found, which he wrote in the character of poet laureate, are in Latin1. These are, an ADDRESS to Henry the eight for the most auspicious beginning of the tenth year of his reign, with an EPITHALAMIUN on the marriage of Francis the Dauphin of France with the king's daughter. A NEW YEAR'S GIFT for the year 15156. And verses wishing prosperity to his majesty's thirteenth year. He has left some Latin hymns: and many of his Latin prose pieces, which he wrote in the quality of historiographer to both monarchs are remaining9. I am of opinion, that it was not customary for the royal laureate to write in English, till the reformation of religion had begun to diminish the veneration for the Latin language: or rather, till the love of novelty, and a better sense of things, had banished the narrow pedantries of monastic erudition, and taught us to cultivate our native tongue. In the mean time it is to be wished, that another change might at least be suffered to take place in the execution of this institution, which is confessedly Gothic, and unaccommodated to modern manners. I mean, that the more than annual return of a composition on a trite 1 See an instrument PRO POETA LAUREATO. dat. 1486. Rymer's ForD. tom. xii. 317. But," by the way, in this instrument there is no specification of any thing to be done officially by Bernard. The king only grants to Andrew Bernard, Pocta laureato, which we may construe either THE laureated poet, or A poet laureate, a salary of ten marcs, till he can obtain some equivalent appointment. This, however, is only a precept to the treasurer and chamberlains to disburse the salary, and refers to letters patent, not printed by Rymer. It is cer tain that Gower and Chaucer were never appointed to this office, notwithstanding this is commonly supposed. Skelton, in his CROWNE OF LAWRELL, sees Gower, Chaucer, and Lydgate approach: he describes their whole apparel as glittering with the richest precious stones, and then immediately adds, They wanted nothing but the LAURELL. Afterwards, however, there is the rubric Maister Chaucer, LAUREATE pocte to Skelton. Works, p. 21. 22. edit. 1736. 2 Apostolo Zeno was both poet and historiographer to his imperial majesty. So was Dryden to James II. It is observable that Petrarch was laureated as poet and historian. One of these, the mastership of St. Leonard's hospital at Bedford, was given him by bishop Smith, one of the founders of Brasenose college, Oxford, in the year 1498. Registr. SMITH, episc. Lincoln. sub. ann. 4 Some of Skelton's Latin poems seem to be written in the character of the Royal laureate, particularly one, Hæc Laureatus Skeltonus, orator reginæ, super triumphali, &c. It is sub'scribed Per Skeltonida Laureatum, oratorem regium." Works, p. 11o. edit. ut supr. Hardly any of his English pieces, which are numerous, appear to belong to that character. With regard to the ORATOR REGIUS, I find one John Mallard in that office to Henry VIIL and his epistolary secretary. He has left a Latin elegiac paraphrase on the lord's prayer, MSS. Bibl. Reg. 7 D. xiii. Dedicated to that king. Le premier livre de la cosmographie, in verse, ibid. 20 B. xii. And a Psalter, beautifully written by himself, for the use of the king. In the margin, are short notes in the hand-writing, and two exquisite miniatures, of Henry VIII. Ibid. 2 A. xvi. 5 MSS. olim penes Thom. Martin de Palgrave. 6 MSS. Coll. Nov. Oxon. 287. 7 Brit. Mus. MSS. Reg. 12 A. x. The copy presented. In paper. There is a wretched false quantity in the first line, Indue, honor, cultus, et adole munera flammis. 8 And a Latin life of St. Andrew. MSS. Cotton. DOMITIAN. A. xviii. 15. 9 A chronicle of the life and achievements of Henry VII. to the taking of Perkin Warbeck, MSS. Cotton. DOMITIAN. A. xviii. 15. Other historical commentaries on the reign of that king. Ibid. JUL. A. 4. JUL. A 3. argument would be no longer required. I am conscious I say this at a time, when the best of kings affords the most just and copious theme for panegyric: but I speak it at a time, when the department is honourably filled by a poet of taste and genius, which are idly wasted on the most splendid subjects, when they are imposed by constraint, and perpetually repeated. To what is here incidentally collected on an article more curious than important, I add an observation, which shews that the practice of other nations in this respect altogether correspond with that of our own. When we read of the laureated poets of Italy and Germany, we are to remember, that they most commonly received this honour from the state, or some university; seldom at least not immediately, from the prince and if we find any of these professedly employed in the department of a court-poet, that they were not, in consequence of that peculiar situation, styled poets laureate. The destinction, at least in general, was previously conferred1. John Scogan is commonly supposed to have been a contemporary of Chaucer, but this is a mistake. He was educated at Oriel college in Oxford and being an excellent mimic, and of great pleasantry in conversation, became the favorite buffoon of the court of Edward IV., in which he passed the greatest part of his life. Bale inaccurately calls Scogan, the JOCULATOR of Edward IV.: by which word he seems simply to understand the king's JOKER, for he certainly could not mean that Scogan was his majesty's MINSTREL3. Andrew Borde a mad physician and a dull poet in the reign of Henry VIII., published his JESTS, under the title of SCOGIN'S JESTS4, which are without humour or invention; and give us no very favourable idea of the delicacy of the king and courtiers, who could be exhilarated by the merriments of such a writer. A MORAL BALADE, printed in Chaucer's 1 The reader who requires a full and particular information concerning the first origin of the laureation of poets, and the solemnities with which this ceremony was performed in Italy and Germany, is referred to Selden's TIT. HON. Op. tom. p. 457. seq. VIE DE PETRARQUE, tom. iii. Notes, &c. p. 1. Not. quat. And to a memoir of M. l' Abbe du Resnel, MEM. LIT. X. 507. 4to. I will only add, the form of the creation of three poets laureate by the chancellor of the university of Strasburgh, in the year 1621. I create you, being placed in a chair of state, crowned with laurel and ivy, and wearing a ring of gold, and the same do pronounce and constitute, POETS LAUREATE, in the name of the holy Trinity, the father, son, and holy 'ghost. Amen.' 2 Hollinsh. Chron. iii. f. 710. It is uncertain whether the poem addressed by Chaucer to Scogan, was really written by the former, MSS. Fairfax. xvi. 3 Script. xi. 70. By the way, the SERJEANT of the King's Minstrels occurs under this reign and in a manner, which shews the confidential character of this officer, and his facility of access to the king at all hours and on all occasions. And as he [k. Edw. iv.] was in the 'nerth contray in the moneth of Septembre, as he laye in his bedde, one namid Alexander Carlisle, that was sariaunt of the mynstrallis, cam to him in grete haste, and bade hym aryse, for he hadde enemys cummyng, &c.' A REMARKABLE FRAGMENT, etc. [an. ix. Edw. iv.) ad calc. SPORTTI CHRON. edit. Hearne. Oxon. 1729. 8vo. Compare Percy's Ess. MINSTR. p. 56. Anstis, ORD. GART. ii. 303. 4 It is from these pieces we learn that he was of Oriel college: for he speaks of retiring, with that society, to the hospital of St. Bartholomew, while the plague was at Oxford. These JESTS are sixty in number. Pr. Pref. There is nothing besides.' Pr. ‘On a time in Lent.' They were reprinted about the restoration. 4to |