The Palace of Pleasure Volume I Part 3

[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 t.i.tle, 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 t.i.tle 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 pa.s.sage 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 pa.s.sions and happiness which must ever flow from rational amus.e.m.e.nt, 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 pa.s.sed 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 s.p.a.ce 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 repet.i.tion of ten printed authorities.]

[Footnote 46b: That Anna was the youngest child, is doubtful, from her father only naming her, besides Helena, as ent.i.tled 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 G.o.d, Amen. The nineteenth day of February in the Year of our Lord G.o.d 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 thdince xvij{lb}, xv{s}." and upon Lady Day or New Year's Day 1595. "To Willm 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 pa.s.sage, 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 G.o.d 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.]