344

HUMFREY DUKE OF GLOUCESTER, A PATRON OF LETTERS.

Brigham, in the year 15561. And from this drawing, in 1598, John Speed procured the print of Chaucer prefixed to Speght's edition of his works; which has been since copied in a most finished engraving by Vertue. Yet it must be remembered, that the same drawing occurs in an Harleian MSS. written about Occleve's age3, and in another of the Cottonian department. Occleve himself mentions this drawing in his CONSOLATIO SERVILIS. It exactly resembles the curious picture on board of our venerable bard, preserved in the Bodleian gallery at Oxford. I have a very old picture of Chaucer on board, much like Occleve's, formerly kept in Chaucer's house, a quadrangular stone-mansion, at Woodstock in Oxfordshire; which commanded a prospect of the ancient magnificent royal palace, and of many beautiful scenes in the adjacent park: and whose last remains, chiefly consisting of what was called Chaucer's bed-chamber, with an old carved oaken roof, evidently original, were demolished about fifteen years ago. Among the ruins, they found an ancient gold coin of the city of Florence". Before the grand rebellion, there was in the windows of the church of Woodstock, an escutcheon in painted glass of the arms of sir Payne Rouet, a knight of Henault, whose daughter Chaucer had married.

Occleve, in this poem, and in others, often celebrates Humphrey duke of Gloucester; who at the dawn of science was a singular promoter of literature, and, however unqualified for political intrigues, the common patron of the scholars of the times. A sketch of his character in that view, is therefore too closely connected with our subject to be censured as an uunecessary digression. About the year 1440, he gave to the university of Oxford a library containing 600 volumes, only 120 of which were valued at more than one hundred thousand pounds. These books are called Novi Tractatus, or New Treatises, in the university-register?. and said to be admirandi apparatus. They were the most splendid and costly copies that could be procured, finely written in vellum, and elegantly embellished with minatures and illuminations. Among the rest was a translation into French of Ovid's Metamorphoses". Only a single specimen of these valuable volumes was suffered to remain: it is a beautiful MSS. in folio of Valerius Maximus, enriched with the most elegant decorations, and written in Duke Humphrey's age, evidently with a design of being placed in this

1 He was of Caversham in Oxfordshire. Educated at Hart-Hall, in Oxford, and studied the law. He died at Westminster, 1559.

2 In Urry's edit. 1721. fol.

4 MSS. Cotton. OTH. A. 18.

3 MSS. Harl. 4866. The drawing is at fol. 91.

5 I think a FLOREIN, anciently common in England. Chaucer, PARDON. TALE, V. 2290. p. 135. col. 2. 'For that the FLORAINS ben so faire and bright. Edward III., in 1344, altered it from a lower value to 6s. and 8d. The particular piece I have mentioned seems about that value.

6 As he does John of Gaunt.

7 Reg. F. fol. 52, 53, b. Epist. 142.

9 Leland. coll. iii. p. 58, edit. 1770.

8 Ibid. fol. 57, b. 60, a. Epist. 148.

sumptuous collection. All the rest of the books, which, like this, being highly ornamented, looked like missals, and conveyed ideas of popish superstition, were destroyed or removed by the pious visitors of the university in the reign of Edward VI., whose zeal was equalled only by their ignorance, or perhaps by their avarice. A great number of classics, in this grand work of reformation, were condemned as antichristian1. In the library of Oriel college at Oxford, we find a MSS. Commentary on Genesis, written by John Capgrave, a monk of saint Austin's monastery at Canterbury, a learned theologist of the fourteenth century. It is the author's autograph, and the work is dedicated to Humphrey duke of Glocester. In the superb initial letter of the dedicatory epistle is a curious illumination of the author Capgrave, humbly presenting his book to his patron the duke, who is seated, and covered with a sort of hat. At the end is this entry, in the hand-writing of duke Humphrey. C'est livre est a moy Humfrey duc de Gloucestre du don de frere Jehan Capgrave, quy le me fist presenter a mon manoyr de Pensherst le jour. de l'an. MCCCXXXVIII," This

6

is one of the books which Humphrey gave to his new library at Oxford destroyed or dispersed by the active reformers of the young Edward.3 John Whethamstede, a learned abbot of saint Alban's, and a lover of scholars, but accused by his monks for neglecting their affairs, while he was too deeply engaged in studious employments and in procuring transcripts of useful books1, notwithstanding his unwearied assiduity in beautifying and enriching their monastery, was in high favour with this munificent prince. The duke was fond of visiting this monastery, and employed abbot Whethamstede to collect valuable books for him.

1 Some however had been before stolen or mutilated. Leland, col. iii. p. 58, edit. 1770. 2 Cod. MSS. 32.

3 He gave also Capgrave SUPER Exodum et REGUM LIBROS. Registr. Univ. Oxon. F. fol. 67, b.

4 We are told in this abbot's GESTA, that soon after his instalment he built a library for his abbey, a design which had long employed his contemplation. He covered it with lead; and expended on the bare walls, besides desks, glazing, and embattelling, or, to use the expres sions of my chronologer, deducta vitriacione, crestacione, positione descorum, upwards of one hundred and twenty pounds. Hearne's OTTERBOURNE, vol. i. Præfat. Append. p. cxxiii. ed. Oxon. 1732. He founded also a library for all the students of his monastery at Oxford, Ibid. p. cxiii. And to each of these students he allowed an annual pension, at his own expense, of thirteen shillings and fourpence. Ibid. p. cxviii. See also p. cxxix. A grand transcript of the Postilla of Nicholas de Lyra on the bible was begun during his abbacy, and at his command, with the most splendid ornaments and handwriting. The monk who records this important anecdote, lived soon after him, and speaks of this great undertaking, then unfinished, as if it was some magnificent public edifice. "God grant, says he, that this work in our days 'may receive a happy consummation! Ibid. p. cxvi.

5 Among other things, he expended forty pounds in adorning the roof and walls of the Virgin Mary's chapel with pictures. GEST, ut supr. p. cx. He gave to the choir of the church an organ; than which, says my chronicler, there was not one to be found in any monastery in England, more beautiful in appearance, more pleasing for its harmony, or more curious in its construction. It cost upwards of fifty pounds. Ibid. p. cxxviii. His new buildings were innumerable and the MASTER OF THE WORKS was of his institution, with an ample salary. Ibid. p. cxiii.

6 Leland, Script. Brit. p. 437:

7 Leland, ibid. 442, 432. Hollinsh. Chron. f. 488, b. And f. 1234, 1235, 1080, 868, 662. Weever FUN. MON. p. 562, 574- Whethamstede erected in his lifetime the beautiful tabernacle or shrine of stone, now remaining, over the tomb of duke Humphrey in saint Alban' abbey church. Hearne's OTTERBOURNE,

346 TRACTS OF WHETHAMSTEDE.-LEONARD ARETINE.-LYDGATE.

Some of Whethamstede's tracts, MSS. copies of which often occur in our libraries, are dedicated to the duke1: who presented many of them, particularly a fine copy of Whethamstede's GRANARIUM,2 an immense work, which Leland calls ingens volumen, to the new library3. The copy of Valerius Maximus, which I mentioned before, has a curious table or index made by Whethamstede1. Many other abbots paid their court to the duke by sending him presents of books, whose margins were adorned with the most exquisite paintings". Gilbert Kymer, physician to king Henry VI., among other ecclesiastic promotions, dean of Salisbury, and chancellor of the university of Oxford, inscribed to duke Humphrey his famous medical system Diaetarium de sanitatis custodia, in the year 14247. I do not mean to anticipate when I remark, that Lydgate, a poet mentioned hereafter, translated Boccacio's book de CASIBUS VIRORUM ILLUSTRIUM at the recommendation and command, and under the protection and superintendence, of duke Humphrey whose condescension in conversing with learned ecclesiastics, and diligence in study, the translator displays at large, and in the strongest expressions of panegyric. He compares the duke to Julius Cesar, who amidst the weightiest cares of state, was not ashamed to enter the rhetorical school of Cicero at Romes. Nor was his patronage confined only to English scholars. His favour was solicited by the most celebrated writers of France and Italy, many of whom he bountifully rewarded. Leonard Aretine, one of the first restorers of the Greek tongue in Italy, which he learned of Emanuel Chrysoloras, and of polite literature in general, dedicates to this universal patron his elegant Latin translation of Aristotle's POLITICS. The copy presented to the duke by the translator, most elegantly illuminated, is now in the Bodleian library at Oxford1o. To the same noble encourager of learning, Petrus Candidus, the friend of Laurentius Valla, and secretary to the great Cosmo duke of Milan, inscribed by the advice of the Archbishop of Milan, a Latin version of 1 Whethamstede, De viris illustribus, Brit. Mus. MSS. Cotton. TIBER. D. vi. i. OTH. B. iv. And Hearne, Pref. Pet. Lantoft. p. xix. seq. 2 Registr. Univ. Oxon. F. f. 68.

4 MSS. Bodl. NE. vii. ii.

3 Leland, ubi modo infr.

5 Multos codices, pulcherrime pictos, ab abbatibus dono accepit.' The Duke wrote in the frontispieces of his books, MoUN BIEN MONDAIN. Leland. Coll. iii. p. 58, edit. ut supr.

6 By the recommendatory letters of duke Humphrey. Registr. Univ. Oxon. F. fol. 75, Epist. 180.

7 Hearne's Append. ad Libr. Nigr. Scaccar. p. 550. 8 PROL. Sign. A. ii. A. iii. edit. Wayland, ut supr.

And hath joye with clarkes to commune,

Stable in study.

To study in bokes of antiquitie.

Readyng of bokes.

Under the wings of his protection,

Lowly submittyng, every houre and space,

Præfat. p. 34.
He adds,

And no man is more expert in langage,
His courage never dothe appall
He studiethever to have intellegence,
And with support of his magnificence,
I shall proceed in this translation.-
My rude langage to my lordes grace.

Fol. xxxviii. b. col. 2. Lydgate has an epitaph on the duke, MSS. Ashmol. 59. 2. MSS. Harl. 2251, 6, fol. 7. There is a curious letter of Lydgate, in which he sends for a supply of money to the duke, while he was translating BOCHAS. 'Literra dom. Joh. Lydgate missa ad ducem Glocestrie in tempore translationis Bochasii, pro oportunitate pecunie.' MSS. ibid. fel. 6. Ibid. 131, fol. 579, b. of the duke's marriage. 9 Leland, Script. p. 442. 10 See MSS. Bodl. D. i. 8, 10. And Leland, Script. p. 443.

Plato's REPUBLIC1. An illuminated MSS. of this translation is in the British museum, perhaps the copy presented, with two epistles prefixed, from the duke to Petrus Candidus2. Petrus de Monte, another learned Italian, of Venice, in the dedication of his treatise DE VIRTUTUM ET VITIORUM DIFFERENTIA to the duke of Glocester, mentions the latter's ardent attachment to books of all kinds, and the singular avidity with which he persued every species of literature. A tract, entitled COMPARATIO STUDIORUM ET ERI MILITARIS, written by Lapus de Castellione, a Florentine civilian, and a great translator into Latin of the Greek classics, is also inscribed to the duke, at the desire of Zeno archbishop of Bayeux. I must not forget, that our illustrious duke invited into England the learned Italian, Tito Livio of Foro-Juli, whom he naturalised, and constituted his poet and orator1. Humphrey also retained learned foreigners in his service, for the purpose of trancribing, and of translating from Greek into Latin. One of these was Antonio de Beccaria, a Veronese, a translator into Latin prose of the Greek poem of Dionysius Aser DE SITU ORBIS: whom the duke employed to translate into Latin six tracts of Athanasius. This translation, inscribed to the duke, is now among the royal MSS. in the British Museum, and at the end, in his own hand-writing, is the following insertion: 'C'est livre est a moi 'Homphrey Duc le Gloucestre: le quel je sis translater de Grec en 'Latin par un de mes secretaires Antoyne de Beccara, ne de • Verone

An astronomical tract, entitled by Leland TABULÆ DIRECTIONUM, is falsely supposed to have been written by duke Humphrey'. But it was compiled at the duke's instance, and according to tables which himself had constructed, called by the anonymous author in his preface, Tabulas illustrissimi principis et nobilissimi domini mei Humfredi, &c. In the library of Gresham college, however, there is a scheme of calculations in astronomy, which bear his name?. Astronomy was then a favourite science: nor is to be doubted, that he was intimately acquainted with the politer branches of know1 Leland, Script. p. 442. And Mus. Ashmol. 789, f. 54, 56. Where are also two of the duke's epistles to Petrus Candidus.

2 P. Candidi Decembris, Duci Mediolani a secretis, Translatio POLITIE Platonis,-ad Humfredum Gloucestrie Ducem, &c. Cui præfiguntur duæ Epistolæ Ducis Glocestriæ ad P. Candidum. Most elegantly written. Membran. ad fin. Cest livre est a moy Humfrey Duc de Glocestre du don P. Candidus secretarie du duc de Mylan.' Catal. MSS. Angl. tom. ii. pag. 212. Num. 6858. [See MSS. Harl. 1705. fol.]

3 MSS. Nowic. MORE. 257. Bibl. pub. Cantabrig.

4 Author of the Vita Henrici quinti, printed by Hearne, Oxon, 1716. And of other pieces. Hollinshed iii. 585.

5 Printed at Venice 1477. Ibid. 1498. Paris 1501.

Basil. 1534. 4to.

6 MSS. Reg. 5 F. 4to, ii. In the same library is a fine folio MSS. of 'Chonique des Roys 'de France jusques a la mort de S. Loys, l'an. 1270.' At the end is written with the duke of Gloucester's hand, 'Cest livre est a moy Homfrey duc de Gloucester du don des executeurs 'le Sr de Faunhore.' 16 G. vi.

7 Hollingsh. Chron. sub. ann. 1461. f. 662. col. 2.

8 MSS. More, 820.

9 MSS. Gresh. 66. See MSS. Ashmol. 156.

348 CHAUCER, GOWER AND OCCLEVE INPROVERS OF OUR LANGUAGE.

ledge, which now began to acquire estimation, and which his liberal and judicious attention greatly contributed to restore.

I close this section with an apology for Chaucer, Gower, and Occleve; who are supposed, by the severer etymologists, to have corrupted the purity of the English language. by affecting to introduce so many foreign words and phrases. But if we attend only to the politics of the times, we shall find these poets, as also some of their successors, much less blameable in this respect, than the critics imagine. Our wars with France, which began in the reign of Edward III., were of long continuance. The principal nobility of England, at this period, resided in France, with their families, for many years. John king of France kept his court in England: to which, exclusive of those French lords who were his fellow-prisoners, or necessary attendants, the chief nobles of his kingdom must have occasionally resorted. Edward the black prince made an expedition into Spain. John of Gaunt duke of Lancaster, and his brother the duke of York, were matched with the daughters of Don Pedro king of Castile. All these circumstances must have concurred to produce a perceptible change in the language of the court. It is rational therefore, and it is equitable to suppose, that instead of coining new words, they only complied with the common and fashionable modes of speech. Would Chaucer's poems have been the delight of those courts in which he lived, had they been filled with unintelligible pedantries? The cotemporaries of these poets never complained of their obscurity. But whether defensible on these principles or not, they much improved the vernacular style by the use of this exotic phraseology. It was thus that our primitive diction was enlarged and enriched. The English language owes its copiousness, elegance, and harmony, to these innovations.

I consider Chaucer as a genial day in an English spring. A brilliant snn enlivens the face of nature with an unusual lustre: the sudden appearance of cloudless skies, and the unexpected warmth of a tepid atmosphere, after the gloom and the inclemencies of a tedious winter, fill our hearts with the visionary prospect of a speedy summer: and we fondly anticipate a long continuance of gentle gales and vernal serenity. But winter returns with redoubled horrors: the clouds condense more formidably than before: and those tender buds, and early blossoms, which were called forth by the transient gleam of a temporary sunshine, are nipped by frosts, and torn by tempests.