The present article is a sketch of the history of POETS LAUREAT, from a
memoir of the French Academy, by the Abbé Resnel.
The custom of crowning poets is as ancient as poetry itself; it has,
indeed, frequently varied; it existed, however, as late as the reign of
Theodosius, when it was abolished as a remain of paganism.
When the barbarians overspread Europe, few appeared to merit this
honour, and fewer who could have read their works. It was about the time
of PETRARCH that POETRY resumed its ancient lustre; he was publicly
honoured with the LAUREL CROWN. It was in this century (the thirteenth)
that the establishment of Bachelor and Doctor was fixed in the
universities. Those who were found worthy of the honour, obtained the
_laurel of Bachelor_, or the _laurel of Doctor_; _Laurea
Baccalaureatus_; _Laurea Doctoratus_. At their reception they not only
assumed this _title_ but they also had a _crown of laurel_ placed on
their heads.
To this ceremony the ingenious writer attributes the revival of the
custom. The _poets_ were not slow in putting in their claims to what
they had most a right; and their patrons sought to encourage them by
these honourable distinctions.
The following _formula_ is the exact style of those which are yet
employed in the universities to confer the degree of Bachelor and
Doctor, and serves to confirm the conjecture of Resnel:--
"We, count and senator," (Count d'Anguillara, who bestowed the laurel on
Petrarch,) "for us and our College, declare FRANCIS PETRARCH great poet
and historian, and for a special mark of his quality of poet we have
placed with our hands on his head a _crown of laurel_, granting to him,
by the tenor of these presents, and by the authority of King Robert, of
the senate and the people of Rome, in the poetic, as well as in the
historic art, and generally in whatever relates to the said arts, as
well in this holy city as elsewhere, the free and entire power of
reading, disputing, and interpreting all ancient books, to make new
ones, and compose poems, which, God assisting, shall endure from age to
age."
In Italy, these honours did not long flourish; although Tasso dignified
the laurel crown by his acceptance of it. Many got crowned who were
unworthy of the distinction. The laurel was even bestowed on QUERNO,
whose character is given in the Dunciad:--
Not with more glee, by hands pontific crown'd,
With scarlet hats wide-waving circled round,
Rome in her capitol saw _Querno_ sit,
Thron'd on seven hills, the Antichrist of wit.