[107] A MS. Brit. Mus. (MS. Reg. 2, A. xviii A) gives a calendar of special events, and under 29th October 1537 it is stated: “This day dysseasyd Elizabethe Lukar, dowghter of Paul Withypoll.” A note to this adds that a Sarum Missal, in possession of Mr. Douce, contained that and other entries, e.g. “XII Kl. Feb., 1509. This day was Pol Withypol, married to me Anne Cursonne his wife.” The above-mentioned Elizabeth was born in 1510, her brother Edward in 1512 (Brit. Mus. 5524, f. 94).
[108] Buchanan had been at one time her tutor and dedicated to her his Latin Psalms, though he turned against her afterwards.
[109] These lines are sometimes supposed to be written by Browne, on the strength of an inferior second verse by him.
[110] In the Preface to his works he said he had met some who understood the mathematical side of his philosophy, and others who understood the metaphysical side; but he had met but one who understood both sides, and that was she whose intellect he therefore reckoned the incomparable.
NOTES TERMINAL
Note to Article III
ANOTHER DEBT OF JOHN SHAKESPEARE
Since my article on “Shakespeare and Asbies” appeared (“Athenæum,” 14th and 21st March) I have had two communications about the Shakespeares. The later, from Mr. Young, seems to suggest another mysterious debt of some John Shakespeare.
Henry Higford, gent., of Solihull, Warwickshire, in his own person appeared on the fourth day against John Shakysper, formerly of Stratford-upon-Avon in county Warwick, “whyttawer,” and against John Musshen, formerly of Walton Dobell in said county, on the plea that each of them should pay him £30 which they owed him; and against John Wheler, formerly of Stratford-on-Avon in said county, yeoman, on the plea that he should pay him 80s. which he owed him, and unjustly detained. And if they did not come and pay, that the Sheriff should bring their bodies here on Easter Day in five weeks (Common Pleas, Roll 1313, membrane 399, Easter 15 Eliz., 1573).
Now this was a “whyttawer nuper de Stratford.” Could this mean a leather-dresser for making gloves? Or could it mean a leather-dresser for making shoes? Was it the John Shakespeare who went to live in Clifford Chambers, and was confused with our John by earlier writers? Or could he be the John Shakespeare who ran his race in Stratford as “corvizer” from 1580 till 1592?
All these questions might be asked, as well as the more important one: Is there any reason to believe that the language at that date could fit John, William Shakespeare’s father? I should be glad to know.