A life in Latin verse of the founder of St John's College, Oxford, Thomas White (1492-1567) by Griffith (Griffin) Higgs (1589-1659), later Dean of Lichfield, in fair copy. This is followed by an account of the theatrical celebrations that took place at the College from 31st October 1607 until 13th February 1608, known as The Christmas Prince , also in fair copy. The latter, by an unknown compiler, comprises the texts of eight plays (five neo-Latin and three English), together with narrative accounts of the various stagings of, responses to and ceremonies surrounding, the theatricals.
1. Fols. 1r-25v: Higgs, Griffith, Nativitas, vita, mors honoratissimi illustrissimiq[ue] viri Thomæ White . Latin. Title and dedication in 17th c. italic hand in black ink; verse in 17th c. mixed hand, also in black ink. With marginal notes in at least two different hands (one mixed, one humanistic - possibly the first scribe of the narrative to The Christmas Prince) throughout. Written in a single column, aligned left, with ca. 38-42 lines to a page. Frame-ruled in red ink throughout. Catchwords bottom margin right of each page. Preliminaries and divisions thus:
- a. Title page, fol. 1r.: "Nativitas, vita, mors honoratissimi illustrissimiq[ue] viri Thomæ White, militis aurati, aldermani civitatis Londi. ejusdemq[ue] aliquando prætoris celeberrimi, Collegii Divi Joannis Baptistæ in Universitate Oxon. Fundatoris munificentissimi ; viginti quatuor urbium et municipiorum benefactoris beneficentissimi viri, demum in tantum laudandi, in quantum virtus laudari potest; authore Griffino Higgs in artibus Bacchalaureo coll. Di. Joan. Baptistæ alumno."
- b. Dedication to John Buckeridge, fols. 1v-2r: "Si vacat et cessant majorum pondere rerum ... quæ mala, Lethæis obliteranda vadis." Signed "Griffinus Higgs". [fol. 2v blank].
- c. Text, fols. 3r-25v: "Inclyta Whitæ primordial condere gentis, mirandosq[ue] levi percurrere carmine mores ... Digna satis, tumulis, natorum munere, Whitus Vivet Apellæis; animoq[ue] et corpora vivet." ; [26r-27v blank].
Decoration/Illustration
Line-decorated initials on fols. 1r-1v, with extra ornamentation surrounding rubric on 1v, mainly foliate, but with a crowned cherub's head at top of 1v. Coloured hand-drawn arms of St John's College at head of text on fol. 3r.
2. Fols. 28r-154r: A true and faithfull relation of the rising and fall of Thomas Tucker, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord of St John's, &c., with all the occurrents w[hi]ch happened throughout his whole domination (caption to fol. 28r, also known as The Christmas Prince -in later pencil on fol. 26r). English & Latin. The first two narrative sections in a single 17th c. mixed hand in black ink, but later sections in at least two secretary hands; the plays in a variety of italic, mixed and secretary hands. The narrative written in long lines, initially with ca. 42 lines to a page; the plays tend to a single column, aligned left, with lines to a page varying between scribes. Frame-ruled in red ink throughout. In the narrative, catchwords bottom right corner of each page; in plays catchwords vary between scribes. Running titles in 17th c. italic cursive in top margin, with significant feasts inserted in top corners, throughout. Divisions thus:
- a. Narrative, All Saints Eve – Saint Andrew's Day, fols. 28r-32r: "It hapned in the yeare of our Lord 1607, the 31 of October ... therefore a schollerlike devise called Ara Fortunæ was provided for his instalment, w[hi]ch was perfourmed in manner & forme following." Running titles: fols. 28r-29r, "The election of the Prince"; fols. 29v-30r, "The Princes private enstallment"; fols. 30v-31r, "Subsidies graunted"; fols. 31v-32r, "Privie seales sent forth".
- b. Play, Ara Fortunæ , fols. 32v-38r: " Primus : Salute amici, fausta sit nobis dies ...Hæc mea voluntas loquitur Omni ovivat divi." Mixed hand, ca. 43-45 lines per page. Catchwords bottom right corner of each page.
- c. Narrative, St Thomas Day – Christmas Day, fols. 38v-45r: "This showe by our selves was not thought worthye of a stage ... and in the ende there was an application made to the day, and nativitie of Christ. All w[hi]ch was perfourmed in man[n]er following." Running titles: fol. 38v, "Ara Fortunæ"; fols. 39r-42v, "The Proclamation for ye Prince & Officers" (shortened to "The Proclamation" from 39v); fols. 43r-44r, "The Proclamation & Statutes"; fol. 44v, "The advauncement of H.S. to the Earldome of Cloistershire"; fol. 45r, "The mannour of the Princes Service & attendaunce".
- d. Play, Hercules curius Doulos , fols. 45v-49r: "Aures naturæ unicuiq[ue] patulas & apertas tribuit ... omnibus in his festis, pro his festis vos præcor ignoscatis. Finis." Cursive, italic hand, ca. 37 lines per page. No catchwords. Title on 45v. Running title: "Saturnalia".
- e. Narrative, St Stevens Day – Innocents Day, fols. 49r-50r: "This shew was very well liked of our selves ... in the ensuing tragedy, all w[hi]ch was p[er]formed in manner following." This section of the narrative in a secretary hand. Running title fol. 50r: "The Tragedy of Philomela or Tereus & Progne."
- f. Play, Philomela , fols 50v-67r: "Inductio Fortuna ... Nostram revolui tu reoptaris rota." Mixed hand, ca. 47-52 lines per page. Catchwords at bottom right hand corner of each page. Title and dramatis personae fol. 50v.
- g. Narrative, New Yeares Eve – New Yeares Day, fols. 67r-68r: "At the end of this Tragedy when fortune ... it was performed in manner and forme following." This section again in secretary hand, although different from the hand at fols. 49r-50r.
- h. Play, Times Complaint , fols. 68v-80r: "Worthelie here wee bring you times complaint ... All may bee mended by a printers worde." Secretary hand, ca. 38-39 lines per page. No catchwords. Title and dramatis personae on 68v.
- i. Narrative, fols. 80v-83r: "It hath beene observed if they which performe much in these kinde of sportes ... and acted privately in the lodging in manner & forme following." Yet another secretary hand. Some elaborate pen flourishes on fols. 81r & 82v. Running titles: fols. 80v-81r, "Times complaint"; fol. 81v, "The bill of expenses"; fol. 82r, "New privie seale sent forth"; fol. 82v. "New privie seale sent forth, new subsidies graunted"; fol. 83r, Somnium fundatoris the 7 dayes". [fols. 83v-84r blank].
j. Play, The Seven Dayes of the Weeke , fols. 84v-89r: "I am the poore, though not unlettered clarke ... We'll come in kindness to put your highnesse out of y[ou]r mumblefubbles." Another secretary hand, ca. 59 lines to a page. No catchwords. Extravagant pen flourish filling half of fol. 89r. Title and dramatis personae on 84v. - k. Narrative, fols. 89r-90v: "Nothing throughout this whole yeare was better liked ... they begann the play before a cloake and performed it in manner following." Secretary hand. Running titles: fol. 89v, "The Terme prorogued"; fol. 90r, "Philomathes".
- l. Play, Philomathes , fols. 90v-108r: " Temp : Quid Iane me protrudes invisum in locum? ... Quod restat unu[m] minibus in vestris situm est. Finis." Mixed hand, ca. 31-36 lines per page. No catchwords. Title and dramatis personae on 90v.
- m. Narrative, to Shrove Tuesday, fols 108v-113r: "This play was very well acted, but especially the Chorus ... the princes resignation which was performed that night with great state and solemnitie in the manner and forme following." Secretary hand, the same as at 89r-90v. Running titles: fol. 108v, "The description of the Princes Castle"; fol. 109r, "The princes invitation to Christchurch"; fols. 109v-112r, "A Vigilate"; fol. 112v, "A private maske"; fol. 113r, "The princes resignation called Ira fortunæ".
n. Play, Ira Fortunæ , fols. 113v-127r: "Non hic poeta Tragicus, Comicus, venit ... Si non probatis mente, at accipiant manus. Exeunt omnes. Finis." Two mixed hands, changing from fols 117r to 117v, hand 1 ca. 38-39 lines per page, hand 2 ca. 36 lines per page. Catchwords in bottom right hand corner of each page. Title and dramatis personae on fol. 113v. - o. Narrative, fols. 127r-128r: "Many straungers of all sorts were invited to this shew ... so that it began very peaceably somewhat before six a clocke and was p[er]formed in manner following." Secretary hand, same as 89r-90v? Running titles: fols. 127r-127v, "Ira fortunæ"; fol. 128r, "Ira fortunæ. Periander ."
- p. Play, Periander, fols. 128v-152r: " Mr of the Rev : Come quickly, quickly: you'l stay all nighte here ... Your gentler hands will give him live againe. Finis." Secretary hand, ca. 41-47 lines per page. No catchwords. Title and dramatis personae on fol. 128v.
- q. Narrative, fols. 152r-154r: "A certain gentlewoman upon the hearing of those two last verses ... Seria vix recte agnoscit, qui ludicra nescit. Finis." Secretary hand, same as 89r-90v. Running titles: fols. 152r-v, "Periander"; fols. 153r-154r, "Conclusion". [fols. 154v-294v, blank, excepting occasional markings and pencil flourishes, esp. fols. 225v-226r, 293r-294v].
Decoration/Illustration
Coloured sketches of the "Privy seal" of the Christmas Prince, with crowned salamander in flames, and motto "Pro aris et focis" on fols 12v. and 82r. Line sketches in ink of the arms of the various officers of the festival, beginning (head of text fol. 39v) with the salamander device of the Christmas Prince; fol. 40r, another badge, the initials T.P. surmounted by a crossed sword and sceptre, and a crown, for "Thomas, by ye favour of Fortune, Prince of Alba Fortunata, Lord of St John's ..."; fol. 40v, badge for "John, Duke of Grove-Land ..."; fol. 41r, "Rowland Lord Juxon, Lrd. Chancelour, Keeper of ye great seale", and "Thomas Lrd. Downes, Lrd. High Treasurer"; fol. 41v, "Joseph Lrd. Fletcher, Lrd. high Admirall" and "Richard Lord Baylie, Lord High Marshall"; fol. 42r, "John Lord Towse, Lord high Chamberlayne" and "Richard Lrd. Holbrooke Comptroller generall"; fol. 42v, "James Lord Bexbloke, principal Secretary" and "John Lrd. English, Lrd. Cheife-Justice"; fol. 44r, a coronet; fol. 44v, badge for "Henrie Lrd Swinarton, Earle of Cloistersheer". Further line sketches in ink of the "Privy seal" and a coronet on fols. 109v-110r.