• To The Reader
• 1. Shakspere or Shakespeare?
• 2. Shakespeare a Pseudonym?
• 3. Treasure Texts
  • 3.1. Harvey - Nashe The Players
  • 3.2. Gascoigne-Willobie
  • 3.3. Munday - Shakespeare
    • 3.3.1. Fiorentino, Il Pecorone
    • 3.3.2. The Jew - The Merchant
    • 3.3.3. Munday, Mirrour
    • 3.3.4. Munday, Zelauto
    • 3.3.4.1. Pecorone-Merchant-Zelauto
  • 3.4. Spenser - Edwards
  • 3.5. Lyly-Greene-Chettle
  • 3.6. Hall-Marston-Parnassus
  • 3.7. Sir Thomas Smythes voiage
  • 3.8. List of contemporary witnesses
• 4. Edward de Vere
• 5. Works
• 6. Ben Jonson’s Forgery
• 7. Research for Shake-speare
• 9. Relationship
• 10. Chronology

3.3.3. Munday, Mirrour of Mutabilitie, 1579

 

Anthony Munday was every bit as ambitious and career minded as Oxford’s secretary, John Lyly. Just like many other authors of the period, Munday supplemented his meager earnings from his literary works by taking on missions from Francis Walsingham’s secret service. Anthony Munday seems to be a very versatile man who led a double life: Born somewhere between 1553 and 1560, he earned his living as a cloth maker or perhaps a printer’s apprentice as a composer of ballads, actor, pamphleteer, translator of chivalric novels, writer of plays, masques and chronicles.

 In 1578 he made Oxford a gift of the translation of Galien [Galen] of France - (presumed lost) after which he doubtlessly left for Rome on a mission for the secret service, travelling though France. On arriving in Rome he assumed the identity of a candidate for the priesthood, infiltrated a group of English Catholics and successfully spied on them. He described his methods quite candidly in the foreword to his book The Mirrour of Mutabilitie (1579) which he dedicated to his “Lord & Patron” Oxenford. In the light of the relationship between Oxford and his “Vasallo e Servitore”, anyone who speaks of the Earl’s crypto-Catholic tendencies is guilty of the falsification of history. When all said and done, Anthony Munday felt duty bound to expose the Jesuit Edmund Campion (1540-1581) and his colleagues; a denunciation which led to their execution.

 In his book The Mirrour of Mutabilitie Munday delivers a discourse on the history of human vanitas. He features various biblical characters and discusses their unfortunate fates or their personal failings. His work underpins the view that Time is a destroyer, that human actions cannot be calculated positively, because life is temporal and full of accidents.

In his first publication, the flexible author paid his respects to his patron; Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. The fact that he was Oxford’s servant indicates, with a high degree of probability, that he was also a member of the acting company; “Oxford’s Men” which stood under Oxford’s patronage. In the dedication poem written in Latin, Munday lavishly praises his patron, calling him his “Alexis” with whom he would gladly share a glass of wine. (This is a reference to the Greek author of comedy and not Vergil’s Alexis.) Munday said that the Earl was able to banish his sadness- most probably by the provision of a permanent position.    

 

The mirrour of mutabilitie, or Principall part of the Mirrour for magistrates

Describing the fall of divers famous princes, and other memorable personages.
Selected out of the sacred Scriptures by Antony Munday, and dedicated to
the Right Honourable the Earle of Oxenford.
Imprinted at London : By Iohn Allde and are to be solde by Richard Ballard, at Saint Magnus Corner, 1579.

A happy race God grant the worthy wight
To whom this crest of honour doth pertain,
To live in joy unto his heart’s delight,
And after death among the saints to reign.

 

To the right Honourable his singular good Lord & Patron,

Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxenforde,

Viscount Bulbeck, Lord of Escales and Badlesmere, and Lord Great Chamberlain of England, Anthony Munday wisheth in this world a triumphant tranquility with continual increase of Honourable Dignity, and after this life a Crown of everlasting felicity in the eternal Hierarchy.

After that I had delivered (Right Honourable) unto your courteous and gentle perusing my book intituled Galien of France [1], wherein having not so fully comprised such pithiness of style as one of a more riper Invention could cunningly have carved: I rest, Right Honourable, on your Clemency to amend my errors committed so unskilfully. But at that time being very desirous to attain to some understanding in the languages, considering in time to come: I might reap thereby some commodity, since as yet my web of youthful time was not fully woven and my wild oats required to be furrowed in a foreign ground, to satisfy the trifling toys that daily more and more frequented my busied brain: yielded myself to God and good Fortune, taking on the habit of a Traveller. And having sustained in the cold Country of France divers contagious calamities and sundry sorts of mishaps, as first, being but newly arrived and not acquainted with the usage of the Country, between Boulogne and Abbeville my companion and I were stripped into our shirts by Soldiers, who (if rescue had not come) would have endamaged our lives also. Methought this was but an unfriendly welcome, considering before I thought that every man beyond the Seas was as frank as an Emperor, and that a man might live there a Gentleman’s life and do nothing but walk at his pleasure, but finding it not so: I wished myself at home again, with sorrow to my sugared sops. But calling to mind that he which fainteth at the first assault would hardly endure to fight out the Battle, took Courage afresh, hoping my hap would prove better in the end since it had such a bitter beginning, and passed forward to Paris.[2]

Being there arrived, to recompense my former mishaps: I found the world well amended, for not only I obtained new garments, but divers Gentlemen to be my friends also, some that had sustained as ill fortune as I, and therefore returned back again into England, and other some that were very glad of my coming, in hope I had been such a one as they looked for.[3] But repelling such Satanical illusions, such golden proffers of preferment to advance me unto my larger contentment: I gave them the hearing of all their politic devises which (as they thought) had taken deep root at their first planting. And considering that I had enterprised this journey for my pleasure and in hope to attain to some knowledge in the French tongue, if that I should seem too scrupulous in their presence: it might turn to my farther harm. For there no friends I had to help me, no wealth to maintain me, no succour near to save me, but if I denied, my new friends would disdain: persuaded myself in their presence to do as they bade me, but when they were absent: to do then as pleased me. By these means I obtained their lawful favour, insomuch that they therewith provided me for my journey to Rome. Where for my more preferment likewise they delivered me divers letters to sundry persons (whose names I remit), that there I should be placed in the office of a Priest. Well, my friend, and I gave them a thousand thanks for their liberal expenses and friendly Letters, and so we departed.

But when we had with a night’s rest pondered of our journey, we considered the imminent dangers before our eyes. First how ready Satan stood to tempt us and prick us forward still to the eternal perdition of our souls. Secondly, that we should forsake so soon the title and name of a Christian, and yield our necks to the yoke and slavery of the Roman Decretals, in that we, professing ourselves before faithful followers of our dear Master Christ, should now so wilfully forsake him. Thirdly, unto all our friends (especially our Parents) what an heart sorrow it would be to hear how their liberal expenses bestowed on us in our youth in training us up in virtuous educations is now so lightly regarded: as able to cause the Father to yield his breath for the sorrow conceived through the negligence of his Son, and all in general lament our unnatural usages. Fourthly, from the Servants of one eternal true God to come to be Idolaters, Worshippers of stocks and stones, and so forsake the fear of God, our duty to our sovereign Prince, and our love to our parents and all affection to our friends. All these (being the principal points) thoroughly considered: withdrew my mind from my former intent, as having knowledge of my Lord the English Ambassador then lying in Paris [4], to him we went and delivered our aforesaid Letters, desiring the prudent counsel of his Honour therein. His Honour, perceiving our imbecility, and opening the Letters, found therein whereof I have before certified your Honour, which when he had worthily balanced in the breast of a second Solon, said:

My dear and faithful Countrymen (as I hope you are), not so glad of your welfare as sorry for your arrival in that you hazard yourselves on such a stayless state, to become as friends to your enemies and foes to your country, here standing at the mercy of a ravening Wolf who not only would devour you from your Country, but both body and soul from Heavenly felicity: Better therefore to abide the poverty of this your want and necessity, than to sell yourselves wilfully into such perpetual slavery, and not only to your great ignomy, but to your friends’ perpetual infamy, to your Prince and famous Country, if you leave your Captain thus cowardly. Take heart afresh courageously, and dread no calamity; take patient all adversity, and God will assist ye.[5]

The excellent Discourse pronounced by so prudent a personage methought did demonstrate the excellency of true nobility. And then departing from his Honour, I journeyed into Italy, to Rome, Naples, Venice, Padua and divers other excellent Cities. And now returned, remembering my bounden duty to your Honour, I present you with these my simple labours, desiring pardon for my bold attempt.

Faccio fine, è riverentemente baccio le vostre valorose Mani.

Humilissimo e Divotissimo e sempre Osservandissimo Vasallo e Servitore.[6]

Anthony Munday

 

The Author’s Commendation of the Right Honourable Earl of Oxenford

E xcept I should in friendship seem ingrate,
D enying duty whereto I am bound:
W ith letting slip your Honour’s worthy state,
A t all assays which I have Noble found,
R ight well I might refrain to handle pen:
D enouncing aye the company of men.

D own, dire despair, let courage come in place,
E xalt his fame whom Honour doth embrace.

V irtue hath aye adorned your valiant heart,
E xampled by your deeds of lasting fame:
R egarding such as take God Mars his part,
E ach-where by proof in honour and in name.

E ach one doth know no fables I express,
A s though I should encroach for private gain:
R egard you may (at pleasure), I confess,
L etting that pass, I vouch to dread no pain:
E ach-where gainst such as can my faith distain,

O r once can say, he deals with flattery:
F orging his tales to please the fantasy.

O f mine intent your Honour judge I crave,
X ephirus blow your fame to Orient skies,
E xtol, I pray, this valiant Britain brave,
N ot seeming once Bellona to despise,
F or valiantness, behold young Caesar here,
O r Hannibal, lo Hercules in place,[7]
R ing forth (I say), his fame both far and near,
D oubt not to say, de Vere will foes deface.

 

Verses written by the Author upon his Lord’s Posy. VERO NIHIL VERIUS.

V irtue displays the truth in every cause,
E ach vain attempt her puissance doth disprove:
R epelling falsehood, that doth seek each clause
O f dire debate Dame Truth for to remove.

N othing, we say, that truer is than truth,
I t folly is against the stream to strive:
H ard is the hap that unto such ensueth,
I n vain respects the truth for to deprive;
L et such take heed, for folly doth them drive.

V aunt not too much of thy vainglorious state,
E steem the truth, for she will guide thee right:
R efrain alway to trust to fickle fate,
I n end she fails, so simple is her might;
U se tried truth, so shalt thou never fall:
S weet is the yoke that shall abridge thy thrall.

 

AD PRECLARUM

et nobilissimum Virum E O. [8]

Nauta Mari medio vectus spumantibus undis,
  depositis portu, sperat reperire salutem:
Conscius extremo procumbens Carcere latro
  sperat fortunam lucis sentire ministram.
Pallidus attonito vultu tardatur Amator
  Finem tamen dominam confidit habere benignam.
A patriis sperat Perigrinus finibus exul:
  Orbe pererrato sibi conciliare quietem.
Hac ratione meum vino visurus Alexin,
  Tristitiaeque meae latas perstringere fines,
Speque recreabor, medicum Fortuna resistat,
  Donec opem ferat, et morbo medicator acerbo[9].
Non aliquando diem tantae peressere tenebrae,
  quin redeat spargens glebis sua fulmina Phoebus.
Aequora quando metam certam posuere furendi,
  Gaudia securis ego sic possessa tenebo.
Mi formose vale, valeat tua grata voluntas,
  Deprecor optata tutus potiaris arena.
Te, cunctosque tuos CHRISTO committo tuendos,
  Donec praestantes sermone fruamur amico.

Honos alit Artes

 

[Translation] To the famous and most noble man E O.

The mariner, whilst battling through the wildest seas, hopes to reach the sanctity of the harbor when the stormy waves have ebbed.
The guilt ridden thief languishing in the darkest dungeon hopes that one day Fortuna will send him a ray of sunshine. [10]
The pale lover, who, shunned by the stony glance of his lady, still hopes that one day she will look kindly upon him and return his love.
The stranger who, banned from family and home, travels around the world hopes to find peace and comfort.
I who wish to sit with my Alexis over a glass of wine,[11]
that he may banish my sadness,
am comforted by the hope that Fortuna will delay the doctor [=Alexis] long enough
to bring me the help that will cure this bitter illness.
Not even the deepest darkness can prevent the return of Phoebus
when he spreads his rays over the swell.
When the seas cease to roar,
I shall enjoy the pleasures of my office.
Farewell to you, most fair and noble Lord [12], a fond farewell to your benevolent spirit.
I pray that you may rule the arena [=the stage] without harm to yourself.
May our Lord Jesus Christ protect you and yours,
Until we sit face to face deepened in friendly conversation.

Art thrives on honor.

 

It is surprising that such assiduousness should appear out of thin air from the pen of a “servitore”. Normally, such a gushing style indicates that a young, rather naïve person is addressing a close friend or relative. We need to investigate the age of the young author and the nature of his relationship to the Earl of Oxford.

He was once thought to have been born in 1553, because the monument to him (in the church of St. Stephen Coleman Street) stated that at the time of his death he was eighty years old. His monument, with a long inscription, was destroyed in 1666, but the inscription was printed in full in the 1633 edition of John Stow's Survay of London (p. 869).  However, as was demonstrated by I. A. Shapiro in an essay from 1956, the lost inscription is probably based on a mistake (see Mundy‘s Birthdate, Notes and Queries, January 1956, pp. 2-3). There are three matters which speak against 1553 being the year of his birth.

1. “William Hall wrote verses ‘in commendaton for his Kinseman Antony Munday’ of the latter’s Mirrour of Mutability, 1579. In these Hall refers to Munday’s ‘tender time to take such task in hand’, which is explicable only if Munday was then considerably less than twenty-six.

2. “At the very end of January or the beginning of February 1582, Munday, then a pursuivant actively hunting Catholics, published A Discoverie of Edmund Campion and his Confederates, describing the trials and executions of Campion, Sherwin und Brian. Munday’s hostile account immediately evoked A true reporte of the death … of M. Campion, published before the middle of march 1582. On D4v of the latter is ‘A caveat to the reader touching A. M. his discovery’ giving invaluable information about Munday’s career up to 1582. In the course of it the author informs us that Munday ‘set forth a balet [ballad] against playes, but yet (o constant youth) he now beginnes again to ruffle upon the stage … Yer I thinke it not amiss to remember thee of this Boyes infelicitie two several wayes of late notorious…’. – The author [Thomas Aufield] of this ‘Caveat’[13] was clearly well supplied with biographical data about Munday, and his references to the ‘constant youth’ and ‘this boy’ are not to be disregarded.”

3. “We must take seriously the implications of the apprenticeship entry. The Stationers’s records show that apprenticeships were carefully regulated, especially about the time Munday was bound. An apprentice was required to serve for a minimum term of seven years, or for so much longer as was necessary to make him at least twenty-four years old at the expiration of his time. Munday was bound for eight years from ‘Bartholomewtide’ (August 24) 1576; he must, then, have expected to be twenty-four years old by 24 August 1584.”

I. A. Shapiro arrives at the year of 1560 as being the correct year of his birth.

That means that Munday must have been 18 when he set off for Italy! That further means that he must have been 19 when he wrote The Mirrour of Mutabilitie, and a year later he wrote Zelauto, The Fountain of Fame (1580).

Munday’s youth explains the style of the dedication to Oxford. However, the same youthfulness poses new questions.- Where and when did he learn to speak Latin and French? (The dedication: AD PRECLARUM et nobilissimum Virum E O.,  serves as proof for his knowledge of Latin. His adeptness in the French language is demonstrated by the translation of Galien of France which was followed by further translations. Walsingham’s deployment of his services as a spy in Rome would not have been possible unless he had a good working knowledge of 16^th century Italian.)

Thomas Aufield’s ironic remarks on Munday’s biography (in A true reporte of the death & mar­tyrdome of M. Campion, 1582 ) bring us a step closer to the answer of the riddle. That is the reason why they are herewith quoted in their entirety.

“M­unday, who first was a stage player (no doubt a calling of some credit), after an apprentice which time he well seemed with deceiving of his master[14], then wandering towards Italy, by his own report became a cozener in his journey. Coming to Rome, in his short abode there; was charitably re­lieved, but never admitted in the semi­nary as he pleaseth to lie in the title of his book, and being weary of well do­ing, returned home to his first vomit again. I omit to declare how th­is scholar new come out of Italy did play extempore, those gentlemen and others which were present, can best give witness of his dexterity, who being weary of his folly, hissed him from his stage. Then being thereby discouraged, he set forth a ballad against plays, but yet (O constant youth) he now begi­ns again to ruffle upon the stage. I omit among other places his behaviour in Barbican[15] with his good mistress, and mother, from whence our super­intendent might fetch him to his cou­rt [16], were it not for love (I would say slander) to their gospel. Yet I think it not amiss to remember thee of this boyʼs infelicity two several ways of late notorious. First he writing upon the death of Everard Hanse, was immediately controlled and disproved by one of his own hatch [brood], and shortly after setting forth the apprehension of M. Campion, was disproved by Geor­ge (I was about to say) Judas Eliot[17], who writing against him, proved that those things he did were for very lu­cre’s sake only, and not for the truth, although he himself be a person of the same predicament, of whom I must say, that if felony be honesty, then he may for his behaviour be taken for a lawful witness against so good men.”

(A true reporte of the death & mar­tyrdome of M. Campion, Iesuite and prieste, & M. Sherwin, & M. Bryan priestes, at Tiborne the first of December 1581. Observed and written by a Catholike priest, which was present therat. March 1582. )

We have seen that when Munday was apprenticed to Allde he was probably just over sixteen. If Munday had been on the stage prior to this time then surely only as a boy actor.

Seen in this context another statement from Aufield assumes new importance: “I omit among other places his behaviour in Barbican with his good mistress and mother, from whence our super­intendent might fetch him to his cou­rt”. - Munday’s problems with his mother must have had their origins in early adolescence. That is why “our superintendent”, as Aufield jokingly calls him, bought the boy to his court to be a “boy actor”. But who was this “superintendent”?

The office of “superintendent” did not exist in Catholic circles; such an office was peculiar to Protestant circles and courts. We are reminded of Gabriel Harvey’s bon mot in Pierces Supererogation: “He [‘the sole author of renowned victory’] it is that is the godfather of writers, the superintendent of the press, the muster-master of innumerable bands, the General of the great field”. (See 3.1.6 Harvey, Pierces Supererogation.)

I.e. at some time during the course of 1574, Oxford will have fetched the young Anthony Munday to his court. At first he was a boy actor, then an apprentice of John Allde. When he had almost reached the age of eighteen, Sir Francis Walsingham sent him to Rome (with Oxford's permission) to spy on the Catholic mission. It is safe to assume that Munday was granted official permission to terminate his apprenticeship.

 In view of Oxford’s anti-Catholic stand point, it is hardly surprising that we find a sardonic reference to the interrogation of the Catholic martyr Edmund Campion. The courtier Malvolio languishes miserably in the dungeon, the clown Feste plays the part of Sir Topas, the curate who interrogates him. [18]

MALVOLIO. Make the trial of it in any constant question.
CLOWN. What is the opinion of Pythagoras concerning wild fowl?
MALVOLIO. That the soul of our grandam might haply inhabit a bird.
CLOWN. What think’st thou of his opinion?
MALVOLIO. I think nobly of the soul, and no way approve his opinion.
CLOWN. Fare thee well. Remain thou still in darkness. Thou shalt hold th’ opinion of Pythagoras ere I will allow of thy wits.

 

NOTES: