The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 1
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William Painter >> The Palace of Pleasure, Volume 1
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[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, AEt. 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 thodince xvij{lb}, xv{s}." and upon Lady Day
or New Year's Day 1595. "To Will[~m] Painter and to S{r}. Stephen
Ridleston[49] Clarke of Thordnce 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. AEt. 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.
For complete notes and errata, see the end of the text.]
_BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES._
Of the first volume of THE PALACE OF PLEASURE there were three editions,
but of the second only two are known. Each of these, all uncommonly fair
and perfect, through the liberal indulgence of their respective owners,
are now before me; a combination which has scarcely been seen by any
collector, however distinguished for ardour of pursuit and extensiveness
of research, since the age of Q. Elizabeth. Their rarity in a perfect
state may render an accurate description, though lengthened by
minuteness, of some value to the bibliographer. The account of them will
be given in their chronological order.
_The Palace of Pleasure_ | Beautified, adorned and | *well furnished
with Plea-* | _saunt Histories and excellent_ | *Nouells, selected
out of* | diuers good and commen- | *dable authors.* | ¶ _By William
Painter Clarke of the_ | _Ordinaunce and Armarie._ | [Wood-cut of a
Bear and ragged Staff, the crest of Ambrose Earl of Warwick, central
of a garter, whereon is the usual motto | HONI: SOIT: QVI: MAL: Y:
PENSE.] | 1566. | _JMPRINTED AT_--*London, by Henry Denham,* | for
Richard Tottell and William Iones.[52]--4to. Extends to sig. Nnnij.
besides introduction, and is folded in fours.
[Footnote 52: Herbert has this edition entered as printed by
Thomas Marshe, upon the authority of Mr. William White, p. 856. It
was licensed to Jones as "certen historyes collected out of dyuers
Ryght good and profitable authours by William Paynter." ib. 1319.]
This title is within a narrow fancy metal border, and on the back of the
leaf are the Arms of the Earl of Warwick, which fill the page. With
signature * 2 commences the dedication, and at ¶ 2 is "a recapitulacion
or briefe rehersal of the Arguments of euery Nouell, with the places
noted, in what author euery of the same or the effect be reade and
contayned." These articles occupy four leaues each, and five more occupy
the address "to the reader," followed by the names of the Authors from
whom the "nouels be selected;" making the whole introduction, with
title, 14 leaves.
The nouels being lx. in number, conclude with folio 345, but there are
only 289 leaves, as a castration appears of 56.[53] On the reverse of
the last folio are "faultes escaped in the printing;" and besides those
corrected, there are "other faultes [that] by small aduise and lesse
payne may by waying the discourse be easely amended or lightly passed
ouer." A distinct leaf has the following colophon:
Imprinted at Lon | don, by Henry Denham, | *for Richard Tottell and*
| *William Jones* | _Anno Domini_. 1566 | _Ianuarij_ 26. |*These
bookes are to be solde at the long shoppe* | *at the Weast ende of
Paules.*
[Footnote 53: There is a lapse of signatures from O o. j. to
A a a. j. and of folios from 145, (misprinted 135) to 201. What
occasioned the castration it is impossible to conjecture; the
volume is certainly perfect, as the table of Contents has no
article for the omitted leaves.]
This volume is rarely discovered perfect. The above was purchased at the
late sale of Col. Stanley's library for 30l. by Sir Mark Masterman
Sykes, Bt.
The second Tome | of the Palace of Pleasure | *conteyning manifolde
store of goodly* | Histories, Tragicall matters and | *other Morall
argument,* | _very requisite for de-_ | *light & profit.* |_Chosen
and selected out of diuers good and commen-_ | _dable Authors._ | By
William Painter, Clarke of the | Ordinance and Armarie. | ANNO.
1567. | Imprinted at London, in Pater Noster Rowe, by Henrie |
Bynneman, for Nicholas | England.[54] 4to. Extends, without
introduction, to signature P. P. P. P. p. iiij. and is folded in
fours.
[Footnote 54: Herbert, 967. Entered in the Stationers' Register
(as Mr. G. Chalmers obligingly informs me) in 1566-7, "to Nycholas
Englonde."]
A broad metal border, of fancy pattern, adorns the title page. At
signature a. ij. begins the Epistle to Sir George Howard, which the
author subscribes from his "poore house besides the Toure of London, the
fourthe of Nouember 1567:" and that is followed by a summary of the
contents and authorities, making, with the title, 10 leaves. There are
xxxiiij novels, and they end at fo. 426. Two leaves in continuation have
"the conclusion," with "divers faultes escaped in printyng," and on the
reverse of the first is the printer's colophon.
Imprinted at London | by Henry Bynneman | for Nicholas Englande |
ANNO M.D.LXVII. | _Nouembris 8._
A copy of this volume was lately in the possession of Messrs. Arch, of
Cornhill, Booksellers, with a genuine title, though differently arranged
from the above, and varied in the spelling.[55] When compared, some
unimportant alterations were found, as a few inverted commas on the
margin of one of the pages in the last sheet, with the correction of a
fault in printing more in one copy than the other, though the same
edition.[56]
[Footnote 55:
It stands thus: The second Tome | of the Palace of Pleasure, |
conteyning store of goodly Histories | Tragicall matters and
other mo- | rall argument, very re- | quisite for delighte | and
profit, | Chosen and selected out of | divers good and commen- |
dable authors. | By William Painter, Clerke of the | Ordinance
and Armarie | Anno. 1567.--Imprinted &c.
Similar differences are found in the earliest stage of the English
press. Thus a copy of Caxton's Cato, 1483, in possession of the
Duke of Devonshire, has the first line
¶ Here begynneth the prologue or prohemye of the book callid:
and in the fine copy belonging to the Library of Lee Priory, it
stands
Here begynneth the prologue or prohemye of the booke callyd.]
[Footnote 56: The second volume is undoubtedly the rarest of the
two. The industrious Langbaine does not appear to have seen it, as
in the _Account of the English Dramatic Poets_, 1691, he refers
more than once to the originals for stories contained in that
volume.]
*The Pallace* | *of Pleasure Beautified,* | _adorned and wel
furnished with_ | Pleasaunt Historyes and excellent | Nouelles,
selected out of diuers | *good and commendable Authours.* | ¶ By
William Painter Clarke | of the Ordinaunce and | Armarie. | 1569. |
_Jmprinted at London in_ | Fletestreate neare to S. Dunstones |
*Church by Thomas Marshe.*--4to. Extends to K k. viij, & is folded
in eights.
The title is in the compartment frequently used by Marsh, having the
stationers' arms at the top, his own initials at the bottom, and
pedestals of a Satyr and Diana, surmounted with flowers and snakes, on
the sides. It is a reprint of the first volume without alteration,
except closer types. The introduction concludes on the recto of the
eleventh leaf, and on the reverse of fo. 264 is the colophon. _Jmprinted
at London in Flete_ | _streate neare unto Sainct Dunstones_ | Churche by
Thomas Marshe | _Anno Domini._ 1569.[57]
[Footnote 57: Dr. Farmer's copy was Vol. I. 1569, and Vol. II.
1567. Purchased at the sale by Mr. Payne for fifteen guineas.
[Bibl. Farm. No. 5993.] The opinion Dr. Farmer entertained of
their rarity may be given in his own words: "The _Two Tomes_,
which Tom Rawlinson would have called _justa volumina_, are almost
annihilated. Mr. Ames, who searched after books of this sort with
the utmost avidity, most certainly had not seen them, when he
published his _Typographical Antiquities_, as appears from his
blunders about them: and possibly I myself might have remained in
the same predicament, had I not been favoured with a copy by my
generous friend, Mr. Lort." _Essay on the learning of
Shakespeare._]
THE PALACE | of Pleasure Beautified | *adorned and well furnished* |
with pleasaunt Histories and | *excellent Nouels, selected out* |
*of diuers good and commendable Authors. By William Painter Clarke*
| of the Ordinaunce | and Armarie. | Eftsones perused corrected |
and augmented. | 1575. | Imprinted at London | _by Thomas
Marshe._--4to. Extends to signature O o, iiij. and is folded in
eights.[58]
[Footnote 58: Hence Tanner and others have been erroneously
supposed to describe an edition in Octavo, and I have seen copies
where the margin, cropped by the intolerable plough of the binder,
might have been shown in proof of the conjecture.]
Title in same compartment as the last. The introduction is given in nine
leaves, and the novels commence the folio, and end at 279. The arguments
of every novel, transposed from the beginning, continue for three leaves
to reverse of O o iiij, having for colophon,
Imprinted at London by | *Thomas Marshe*.
Seven novels were added to the former number, and the language improved.
THE SECOND | Tome of the Palace of | *Pleasure contayning store of
goodlye* | *Histories, Tragical matters, & other* | Morall
argumentes, very requi- | site for delight and | *profyte.* | Chos[~e]
and selected out | _of diuers good and commendable au-_ | _thors,
and now once agayn correc-_ | ted and encreased. | By Wiliam
Painter, Clerke of the | _Ordinance and Armarie_. | Imprinted at
_L_ondon | In Fleatstrete by Thomas | MARSHE.--4to. Has signature
Z z 4, and is folded in eights.
Title in the compartment last described. The introduction has seven
leaves, and the "conclusion" is at fo. 360.[59] The summary of nouels,
which stand as part of the introduction in the former edition, follows,
making four leaves after discontinuing the folio. There is no printer's
colophon, and the type throughout is smaller than any used before. The
translator added one historic tale, and made material alterations in the
text.
[Footnote 59: Folios 225 and 6 are repeated, and several others
are erroneously numbered.]
With respect to the date the year 1582 has been several times given, and
it is doubtful if I have discovered the source of the authority. Oldys,
among the manuscript notes upon Langbaine, registers "W. Painter's
Palace of Pleasure, &c. 4to. 1569, and in 2 vols. 1575, and 1582:" and
Mr. Bindley, whose friendly assistance it is always gratifying to
record, pointed out to my attention the catalogue of the library of the
Honorable Bryan Fairfax,[60] where the volumes are increased in number,
and with only a single date. It stands thus, Lot "336, Painter's Palace
of Pleasure, 3 vols.[61] B.L. 1582:" again in the Osterley catalogue,
p. 87, is No. "26, Palace of Pleasure, 1582."[62] To decide positively
on such an unexpected repetition of the date made it desirable to obtain
a sight of the copy.[63] That, with some difficulty, has been effected.
On visiting Osterley, strange as it may appear, I found the two volumes
bound in one, the same editions as those now printed from, and both
wanting title pages!!
[Footnote 60: Prepared for sale by auction by Mr. Prestage, of
Savile Row, in April, 1756, and sold by private contract to Mr.
Child. It forms the principal part of the library at Osterley
Park.]
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