Preliminary Matter.
_OF THE TRANSLATOR._
William Painter was, probably, descended from some branch of the family
of that name which resided in Kent. Except a few official dates there is
little else of his personal history known. Neither the time nor place of
his birth has been discovered. All the heralds in their Visitations are
uniformly content with making him the root of the pedigree.[31] His
liberal education is, in part, a testimony of the respectability of his
family, and, it may be observed, he was enabled to make purchases of
landed property in Kent, but whether from an hereditary fortune is
uncertain.
[Footnote 31: The Visitation Book of 1619, in the Heralds College,
supplied Hasted with his account. There may also be consulted Harl.
MSS. 1106, 2230 and 6138.]
The materials for his life are so scanty, that a chronological notice of
his Writings may be admitted, without being deemed to interrupt a
narrative, of which it must form the principal contents.
He himself furnishes us with a circumstance,[32] from whence we may fix
a date of some importance in ascertaining both the time of the
publication and of his own appearance as an author. He translated from
the Latin of Nicholas Moffan, (a soldier serving under Charles the
Fifth, and taken prisoner by the Turks)[33] the relation of the Murder
which Sultan Solyman caused to be perpetrated on his eldest Son
Mustapha.[34] This was first dedicated to Sir William Cobham Knight,
afterwards Lord Cobham, Warden of the Cinque Ports; and it is material
to remark, that that nobleman succeeded to the title Sept. the 29th,
1558;[35] and from the author being a prisoner until Sept. 1555, it is
not likely that the Translation was finished earlier than circa 1557-8.
[Footnote 32: Palace of Pleasure, Vol. II. p. 663.]
[Footnote 33: The translation is reprinted in the second volume.
Of the original edition there is not any notice in Herbert.]
[Footnote 34: This happened in 1552, and Moffan remained a captive
until Sept. 1555.]
[Footnote 35: Brydge’s _Peerage_, Vol. IX. p. 466. Banks’s
_Dormant Peerage_, Vol. II. p. 108.]
In 1560 the learned William Fulke, D.D. attacked some inconsistent,
though popular, opinions, in a small Latin tract called
“Antiprognosticon contra invtiles astrologorvm prædictiones Nostrodami,
&c.” and at the back of the title are Verses,[36] by friends of the
author, the first being entitled “Gulielmi Painteri ludimagistri
Seuenochensis Tetrasticon.” This has been considered by Tanner as our
author,[37] nor does there appear any reason for attempting to
controvert that opinion; and a translation of Fulke’s Tract also seems
to identify our author with the master of Sevenoaks School. The title is
“Antiprognosticon, that is to saye, an Inuectiue agaynst the vayne and
unprofitable predictions of the Astrologians as Nostrodame, &c.
Translated out of Latine into Englishe. Whereunto is added by the author
a shorte Treatise in Englyshe as well for the utter subversion of that
fained arte, as well for the better understandynge of the common people,
unto whom the fyrst labour semeth not sufficient. _Habet & musca splenem
& formice sua bilis inest._ 1560” 12mo. At the back of the title is a
sonnet by Henry Bennet: followed in the next page by Painter’s Address.
On the reverse of this last page is a prose address “to his louyng
frende W. F.” dated “From Seuenoke XXII of Octobre,” and signed “Your
familiar frende William Paynter.”[38]
[Footnote 36: These verses were answered by another Kentish
writer. “In conuersium Palengenii Barnabæ Gogæ carmen E. Deringe
Cantiani,” prefixed to _the firste sixe bokes of the mooste
christian poet Marcellus Palingenius, called the Zodiake of Life_.
Translated by Barnabe Googe, 1561. 12mo. See Cens. Lit. Vol. II.
p. 212. Where it appears that Barnaby Googe was connected with
several Kentish families. He married a Darell. His grandmother was
Lady Hales.]
[Footnote 37: _Bibliotheca_, p. 570.]
[Footnote 38: M.S. Ashmole, 302. Mr. H. Ellis has kindly
furnished me with the above, during a late visit to Oxford, and
observes that the reference to Tanner is wrongly stated, the
article being in Ashmole’s study.]
By the regulations of the school, as grammar-master, he must have been a
bachelor of arts, and approved by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and to
the appointment was attached a house and salary of £50 per annum.[39]
[Footnote 39: Hasted’s _Hist. of Kent_, Vol. III. p. 98.]
Of the appointment to the School I have not been able to obtain any
particulars. That situation[40] was probably left for one under
government, of less labour, as he was appointed by letters patent of the
9th of Feb. in the 2d of Eliz. (1560-1) to succeed John Rogers,
deceased, as Clerk of the Ordinance in the Tower, with the official
stipend of eightpence per diem, which place he retained during life.
[Footnote 40: If Painter had laid in this School the foundation of
that fortune, which he afterwards appears to have realised in land,
he did no more than was done by a celebrated successor, Thomas
Farnaby, a well-known annotator on Horace, who settled his male
posterity at Keppington, in the parish of Sevenoaks, where they
remained in rank and opulence, till the late Sir Charles Farnaby,
Bart., who at one time in the present reign represented the County
of Kent, sold that seat and estate to Francis Motley Austen, Esq.,
the present owner.]
In 1562 there was a license obtained by William Jones to print “The
Cytie of Cyvelite, translated into Englesshe by william paynter.”
Probably this was intended for the present work, and entered in the
Stationers Register as soon as the translation was commenced, to secure
an undoubted copy-right to the Publisher. Neither of the stories bear
such a title, nor contain incidents in character with it. The
interlocutory mode of delivery, after the manner of some of the
originals, might have been at first intended, and of the conversation
introducing or ending some of those taken from the collection of the
Queen of Navarre, a part is even now, though incongruously,
retained.[41] By rejecting the gallant speeches of the courtiers and
sprightly replies of the ladies, and making them unconnected stories,
the idea of civility was no longer appropriate, and therefore gave place
to a title equally alliterative in the adoption of the Palace of
Pleasure.
[Footnote 41: George Whetstone has _An Heptameron of Civill
Discourses_, &c. 1582.]
Under this conjecture Painter was three years perfecting the Translation
of the first volume of the Palace of Pleasure. He subscribes the
dedicatory Epistle “nere the Tower of London the first of Januarie
1566,” using the new style, a fashion recently imported from France.[42]
It must be read as 1565-6 to explain a passage in another Epistle before
the second volume, where he speaks of his histories “parte whereof, two
yeares past (almost) wer made commune in a former boke,” concluding
“from my poore house besides the Toure of London, the fourthe of
November, 1567.” The two volumes were afterwards enlarged with
additional novels, as will be described under a future head, and with
the completion of this task ends all knowledge of his literary
productions.
[Footnote 42: In France the style was altered in 1564. _Clavis
Calendaria_. Vol I. p. 64.]
It no where appears in the Palace of Pleasure that Painter either
travelled for information, or experienced, like many a genius of that
age, the inclination to roam expressed by his contemporary, Churchyard,
“Of running leather were his shues,
his feete no where could reste.”[43]
[Footnote 43: _Bibliographical Miscellanies_, 1813. p. 2.]
Had he visited the Continent, it is probable, that in the course of
translating so many novels, abounding with foreign manners and scenery,
there would have been some observation or allusion to vouch his
knowledge of the faithfulness of the representation, as, in a few
instances, he has introduced events common in our own history.
He probably escaped the military fury of the age by being appointed
“Clerk to the great Ordinance,” contentedly hearing the loud peals upon
days of revelry, without wishing to adventure further in “a game,”
which, “were subjects wise, kings would not play at.” In the possession
of some competence he might prudently adjust his pursuits, out of
office, to the rational and not unimportant indulgence of
literature,[44] seeking in the retirement of the study, of the vales of
Kent, and of domestic society, that equanimity of the passions and
happiness which must ever flow from rational amusement, from contracted
desires, and acts of virtue; and which the successive demands for his
favourite work might serve to cheer and enliven.
[Footnote 44: This is confirmed by his making the following
observation: “When labour resteth him selfe in me, and leisure
refresheth other affairs, nothing delights more that vacant tyme
than readinge of Histories in such vulgar speache, wherein my
small knowledge taketh repast.” _Epistle Dedicatory_, Vol. II.
p. 4.]
As the founder of the family[45] his money must be presumed to have been
gained by himself, and not acquired by descent. It would be pleasing to
believe some part of it to have been derived from the labours of his
pen. But his productions were not of sufficient magnitude to command it,
although he must rank as one of the first writers who introduced novels
into our language, since so widely lucrative to--printers. Yet less
could there accrue a saving from his office to enable him to complete
the purchases of land made at Gillingham, co. Kent.
[Footnote 45: Some of the following notices, probably, relate
to branches of the family. --William Paynter “de Vkefielde,”
possessed lands at Horsemonden, Benynden, and Merden, co. Kent. He
left three sons, Alexander, John and Robert. His will dated 25th
Feb. 24. Hen. 7th. (1509) and proved in November following.
--John P. Citizen and Freemason of London, by Will dated 26th Nov.
1532, proved 1537, gave to the children of his late brother
Richard P. late of Littleport, co. Kent, 6s. 8d. each. He was to
be buried at St. Albans, Wood Street, where on inquiry I am
informed the Registers of that period do not exist. --John P.
twice mayor of Dover, died 14th July, 1540, buried at Rainham,
same co. See Weever’s _Funeral Monuments_. --Edmonde P. Steward to
the Bishop of Ely, held a patent place, and by his will dated 7th
Sept. 14 Eliz. (1572) gave to his brother’s daughter “Johane”
forty pounds. Probably the eldest daughter of our Author.]
At what period he married cannot be stated. His wife was Dorothy Bonham
of Cowling, born about the year 1537, and their six children were all
nearly adults, and one married, at the time of his death in 1594. We may
therefore conclude that event could not be later than 1565; and if he
obtained any portion with his wife the same date allows of a disposition
of it as now required.
It is certain that he purchased of Thomas and Christopher Webb the manor
of East-Court in the parish of Gillingham, where his son Anthony P.
resided during his father’s lifetime. He also purchased of Christopher
Sampson the manor of Twidall in the same parish with its appurtenances,
and a fine was levied for that purpose in Easter Term 16 Eliz. Both the
manors remained in the family, and passed by direct line from the above
named Anthony, through William and Allington, his son and grandson, to
his great grandson Robert, who resided at Westerham, in the same county,
and obtained an Act of Parliament, 7 Geo. I. “to enable him to sell the
manors of Twydal and East-Court.”[46]
[Transcriber’s Note:
The family tree in the following Footnote has been rearranged for
this e-text. It is given first in “skeleton” form, showing the main
line of descent; the full text is then given in list form. In the
printed text, Joanna and her marriages are shown on a separate line,
to the left of the following generation. Allington’s wife is not
named.]
[Footnote 46: Hasted’s _History of Kent._ art. Gillingham. The
following pedigree of the family is collected from Hasted and the
Harleian MSS.
William = Dorothy
|
---------------------------------------------------------
| | | | | |
Joanna Dorothy Helena Anthony = Catherine Catherine Anna
|
William = Elizabeth
|
--------------------
| | |
Allington Elizabeth Anna
|
Robert = Eleanora
William Painter,[46a] of Twedall, parish of Gillingham, the
author. Ob. 1594.
= Dorothy, daughter of ---- Bonham, of Cowling. Ob. Oct. 19,
| 1617, Æt. 80.
|
|---Joanna
| = Nathaniel Partrich
| = John Orwell
|---Dorothy
| = John Bagenhall
|---Helena
| = John Hornby
|---Anthony
| = Catherine, coheiress of Robt. Harris, Master in Chancery.
| |
| |---William of Gillingham, died about the time of the
| Restoration of Charles II.
| = Elizabeth, daughter of Walter Hickman, of Kew, Co.
| | Surrey, Esq. relict of George Allington, jun.
| |
| |---Allington
| | = [blank space in original text]
| | |
| | |---Robert, who obtained an act of parliament to
| | alienate the manors of Twedall and East Court.
| | = Eleanora, youngest daughter of Sir Thomas
| | Seyliard, Bart. buried at Westerham.
| |
| |---Elizabeth.[46c]
| |---Anna.[46c]
|
|---Catherine
| = ---- Champ, Co. Suff.
|---Anna.[46b]
ARMS. _Gules, a chevron between three griffins’ heads erased or,
on a chief of the second an helmet sable between two pellets._
CREST. _A lizard_ (as supposed) _vert, escaping from the trunk of
an old tree, proper._
[Footnote 46a: Also spelt Paynter and Payneter; but neither used
by the above-named William Painter, if we may rely upon the
repetition of ten printed authorities.]
[Footnote 46b: That Anna was the youngest child, is doubtful,
from her father only naming her, besides Helena, as entitled to
a portion. She resided with her mother, unmarried, 1617.]
[Footnote 46c: One of these married William Wiseman, a civilian.]]
Not any part of the real Estate was affected by the will of William
Painter, who appears, from its being nuncupative, to have deferred
making it, until a speedy dissolution was expected. It is as follows:
“In the name of God, Amen. The nineteenth day of February in the
Year of our Lord God one thousand five hundred ninety four, in the
seven and thirtieth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lady
Elizabeth, &c. William Painter then Clerk of her Maj. Great
Ordinance of the Tower of London, being of perfect mind and memory,
declared and enterred his mind meaning and last Will and Testament
noncupative, by word of mouth in effect as followeth, viz. Being
then very sick and asked by his wife who should pay his son in law
John Hornbie the portion which was promised him with his wife in
marriage, and who should pay to his daughter Anne Painter her
portion, and to the others his children which had nothing;[47] and
whether his said wife should pay them the same, the said William
Painter answered, Yea. And being further asked whether he would give
and bequeath unto his said wife all his said goods to pay them as he
in former times used to say he would, to whom he answered also, yea.
In the presence of William Pettila, John Pennington, and Edward
Songer. Anon after in the same day confirming the premises; the said
William Painter being very sick, yet of perfect memory, William
Raynolds asking the aforesaid Mr. Painter whether he had taken order
for the disposing of his Goods to his wife and children, and whether
he had put all in his wives hands to deal and dispose of and to pay
his son Hornby his portion,[48] and whether he would make his said
wife to be his whole Executrix, or to that effect, to whose demand
the said Testator Mr. William Painter then manifesting his will and
true meaning therein willingly answered, yea, in the presence of
William Raynolds, John Hornbie and Edward Songer.”[48]
[Footnote 47: Dorothy P. (the Executrix) by her will, dated 3d
July, 1617, gave a specific legacy to her granddaughter Thomasine
Hornby, which was to be void if she sued or impleaded her
executor, relative to any gift, legacy or bequest, under the above
will; from which it may be concluded the portion of John Hornby’s
wife was never properly adjusted.]
[Footnote 48: Proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury,
3d Feb. 1595.]
He probably died immediately after the date of the will. Among the
quarterly payments at the ordinance office at Christmas 1594 is entered
to “Mr. Painter Clerke of thõdiñce xvij{lb}, xv{s}.” and upon Lady Day
or New Year’s Day 1595. “To Willm̅ Painter and to S{r}. Stephen
Ridleston[49] Clarke of Thordñce for the like quarter also warranted
xvij{lb}. xv{s}.” He was buried in London.[50] After his death the widow
retired to Gillingham, where she died Oct. 19th 1617. Æt. 80, and where
she was buried.[51]
[Footnote 49: His patent, dated 21st June 1595, gives all
emoluments from the day of the death of William Painter.]
[Footnote 50: In the will of Dorothy P., already noticed, is the
following direction. “In case I dye or departe this life in the
Citie of London, to be buryed in the same parish in London where
my late loving husband Mr. William Paynter, Clerke of the great
Ordinance of the Tower of London, was buryed, and as neere to the
place where he was buryed as conuenyentlie may be, with some
memoriall there to be engraven sett vp or placed as shalbe devised
and appoynted by my executor and overseers hereafter named; yf
elsewhere then allso at their like discretions and with the like
memoriall.” Had she set up such a memorial for her husband, the
name would probably have been found in Stowe’s _Survey of London_.
It does not occur in the Registers of the Tower Chapel; Allhallows
Barking; St. Catherine’s; or Aldgate. At St. Dunstan’s, Tower
Street, the register has been destroyed, and also at St. Alban’s,
Wood Street, where there was probably a family vault, and not
being the church frequented when he lived by the Tower, the name
might have been forgotten by the widow.]
[Footnote 51: Her Will was not proved until July 1620. It is
unusually long, and the bequests are trifling. She particularizes
all her grand-children, whom, in the language then used, she calls
nephews and nieces. There had probably been some difference in the
family to occasion the following passage, whereby she bequeaths
the only memorial mentioned of our author. “Item, whereas my very
welbeloued niephue William Paynter, and I, and all my children,
nowe are and I trust in God so shall continue loving hartie and
inward frends, whereof I receyue great ioye and contentment, vnto
the which my saied neiphue, for a gentle remembraunce, I give and
bequeethe my tablet of gould with a pearle to yt which sometymes
was his graundfather’s, beyng nowe all readie in his owne keeping
and possession.” The will is subscribed with a cross, which the
feebleness of age might render necessary.]
[For some additional points throwing light on the way in which
Painter gained his fortune, see Appendix. Collier (_Extr. Stat. Reg._
ii. 107), attributes to Painter _A moorning Ditti vpon the Deceas of
Henry Earle of Arundel_, which appeared in 1579, and was signed
‘Guil. P. G.’ [= Gulielmus Painter, Gent.].--J. J.]
[Transcriber’s Note on Bibliographical Notices:
Bracketed text [ ] is in the original. Brackets are also used to
demarcate footnotes.
Text originally printed in blackletter (“Gothic”) type is shown
between *asterisks*. Single asterisks are in the original text.