Markham, Gervase
, an English author, who lived
in the reigns of James I. and Charles I. but whose private
history is involved in much obscurity, was son of Robert
Markham, esq. of Gotham, in the county of Nottingham.
He bore a captain’s commission under Charles I. in the
civil wars, and was accounted a good soldier, as well as a
good scholar. One piece of dramatic poetry which he has
published will shew, says Langbaine, that he sacrificed to
Apollo and the muses, as well as to Mars and Pallas. This
| play is extant under under the title of “Herod and Antipater,” a tragedy, printed in 1622. Markham published
a great many volumes upon husbandry and horsemanship:
one upon the latter, printed in quarto, without date, he
dedicated to prince Henry, eldest son to James I. In
husbandry he published “Liebault’s La Maison rustique,
or the country -farm,” in 1616. This treatise, which was
at first translated by Mr. Richard Surfleit, a physician,
Markham enlarged, with several additions from the French
books of Serris and Vinet, the Spanish of Albiterio, and
the Italian of Grilli. He published other books of husbandry, particularly “The English Husbandman, in two
parts,” Lond. 1613 1635, with the “Pleasures of Princes
in the Art of Angling.” Granger mentions “The whole
Art of Angling,” 1656, 4to, in which he says Markham
very gravely tells us that an angler should “be a general
scholar, and seen in all the liberal sciences; as a grammarian, to know how to write or discourse of his art in
true and fitting terms. He should have sweetness in speech
to entice others to delight in an exercise so much laudable.
He should have strength of argument to defend and maintai n his profession against envy and slander,” &c. Markham
also wrote a tract entitled “Hunger’s prevention, or the
whole Art of Fowling,” 1621, 8vo. In military discipline
he published “The Soldier’s Accidence and Grammar,” in
1635. But he appears to have been earliest distinguished
by his talents for poetry. In 1597 he published “Devereux Vertues tears for the loss of the most Christian
king Henry, third of that name king of France, and the
untimely death of the most noble and heroical Walter
Devereux, who was slain before Roan, in Fraunce,” a translation from the French, 4to. He was the author also of
“England’s Arcadia, alluding his beginning from sir Philip
Sydney’s ending,” 1607, 4to. The extracts from Markham in “England’s Parnassus,” are more numerous than
from any other minor poet. The most remarkable of his
poetical attempts appears to have been entitled “The
Poem of Poems, or Sion’s Muse, contaynyng the diuine
Song of king Salomon, deuided into eight eclogues,” J 596,
16mo. This is dedicated to “the sacred virgin, divine
mistress Elizabeth Sydney, sole daughter of the everadmired sir Philip Sydney.” Bishop Hall, who was justly
dissatisfied with much of the spiritual poetry with which his
age was overwhelmed, alludes to this piece in his “Satires”
| (B. I. Sat. VIII.); and says that in Markham’s verses Solomon assumes the character of a modern sonneteer, and
celebrates the sacred spouse of Christ with the levities and
in the language of a lover singing the praises of his mistress. For this censure, Marston in his “Certayne Satires”
(Sat. IV.) endeavours to retort upon Hall.
Langbaine is very lavish of his praise of Markharn; but
he does not appear to have known much of his poetry, or
of his real characier. In the works referred to below are
some conjectures, and some information respecting Markham, which place his character rather in an equivocal
light. It appears, however, that his works on husbandry,
agriculture, &c. were once held in great esteem, and
often reprinted. On the records of the stationers’ company is a very extraordinary agreement signed by this
author, which probably arose from the booksellers’ knowledge of the value of Markham’s work, and their apprehensions that a new performance on the same subject
might be hurtful to the treatises then circulating. It is as
follows:
“Md. That I Gervase Markham, of London, gent, do
promise hereafter never to write any more book or books
to be printed of the diseases or cures of any cattle, as horse,
oxe, cowe, sheepe, swine, and goates, &c. In witnes
whereof I have hereunto sett my hand the 24th day of
Julie, 1617. Gervis Markham.”
This likewise seems to confirm the opinion of some that
he was an author by profession, and one of the earliest on
record. Numerous, however, as were this writer’s works,
his memory has not had the fate of being transmitted with
any clearness to posterity. The time of his birth, death,
and all other particulars regarding him, are utterly unknown. 1
This text has been generated using commercial OCR software,
and there are still many problems; it is slowly getting better
over time.
The text was scanned and OCRd several times, and
a majority version of each line of text was chosen.
Please don't reuse the content
(e.g. do not post to wikipedia)
without asking liam
at fromoldbooks dot org first (mention the colour of your socks in the subject line of the mail),
because I am still working on fixing errors.
Thanks!
Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
A discource of horsmanshippe Wherein the breeding and ryding of horses for seruice, in a breefe manner is more methodically sette downe then hath been heeretofore. With a more easie and direct course for the ignorant, to attaine to the same arte or knowledge. Also the manner to chuse, trayne, ryde and dyet, both hunting-horses, and running-horses: with all the secretes thereto belonging discouered. An arte neuer heeretofore written by any authour. (1593) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The gentlemans academie. Or, The booke of S. Albans containing three most exact and excellent bookes: the first of hawking, the second of all the proper termes of hunting, and the last of armorie: all compiled by Iuliana Barnes, in the yere from the incarnation of Christ 1486. And now reduced into a better method, by G.M.Boke of Saint Albans (1595) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The most honorable tragedie of Sir Richard Grinuile, Knight (1595) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The poem of poems. Or, Sions muse contayning the diuine song of King Salomon, deuided into eight eclogues.Poem of poems. (1596) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Deuoreux Vertues teares for the losse of the most christian King Henry, third of that name, King of Fraunce; and the vntimely death, of the most noble & heroicall gentleman, VValter Deuoreux, who was slaine before Roan in Fraunce. First written in French, by the most excellent and learned gentlewoman, Madam Geneuuefue, Petau Maulette. And paraphrastically translated into English. Ieruis Markham. (1597) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The teares of the beloued: or, The lamentation of Saint Iohn, concerning the death and passion of Christ Iesus our sauiour. By I.M. (1600) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Marie Magdalens lamentations for the losse of her master Iesus (1601) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The English Arcadia alluding his beginning from Sir Philip Sydneys ending. By Iaruis Markham.English Arcadia. Part 1 (1607) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Rodomonths infernall, or The Diuell conquered Ariastos conclusions. Of the marriage of Rogero with Bradamanth his loue, & the fell fought battell betweene Rogero and Rodomonth the neuer-conquered pagan. Written in French by Phillip de Portes, and paraphrastically translated by G.M.Roland furieux. English (1607) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Cauelarice, or The English horseman contayning all the arte of horse-manship, as much as is necessary for any man to vnderstand, whether he be horse-breeder, horse-ryder, horse-hunter, horse-runner, horse-ambler, horse-farrier, horse-keeper, coachman, smith, or sadler. Together, with the discouery of the subtill trade or mistery of horse-coursers, & an explanatio[n] of the excellency of a horses vndersta[n]ding, or how to teach them to doe trickes like Bankes his curtall: and that horses may be made to drawe drie-foot like a hound. Secrets before vnpublished, & now carefully set down for the profit of this whole nation: by Geruase Markham. (1607) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The dumbe knight A historicall comedy, acted sundry times by the children of his Maiesties Reuels. (1608) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The famous whore, or noble curtizan conteining the lamentable complaint of Paulina, the famous Roman curtizan, sometimes mes. vnto the great Cardinall Hypolito, of Est. By Garuis Markham. (1609) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Markhams maister-peece, or, What doth a horse-man lacke containing all possible knowledge whatsoeuer which doth belong to any smith, farrier or horse-leech, touching the curing of all maner of diseases or sorrances in horses : drawne with great paine and most approued experience from the publique practise of all the forraine horse-marshals of Christendome and from the priuate practise of all the best farriers of this kingdome : being deuided into two bookes, the first containing all cures physicall, the second whatsoeuer belongeth to chirurgerie, with an addition of 130 most principall chapters and 340 most excellent medicines, receits and secrets worthy euery mans knowledge, neuer written of nor mentioned in any author before whatsoeuer : together with the true nature, vse, and qualitie of euerie simple spoken of through the whole worke : reade me, practise me, and admire me / written by Geruase Markham gentleman. (1610) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The English husbandman. The first part: contayning the knowledge of the true nature of euery soyle within this kingdome: how to plow it; and the manner of the plough, and other instruments belonging thereto. Together with the art of planting, grafting, and gardening after our latest and rarest fashion. A worke neuer written before by any author: and now newly compiled for the benefit of this kingdome. By Garuis MarkhamEnglish husbandman. Part 1 (1613) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Hobsons horse-load of letters: or A president for epistles The first [-second] booke. Being a most exact method for men, of what qualitie soeuer, how to indight, according to the forme of these times, whether it be for serious negotiations, priuate businesses, amorous accomplyment, wanton merryment, or the defence of honor and reputation. A worke different from all former publications, and not vnworthy the eyes of the most noblest spirits. (1613) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The second booke of the English husbandman Contayning the ordering of the kitchin-garden, and the planting of strange flowers: the breeding of all manner of cattell. Together with the cures, the feeding of cattell, the ordering both of pastures and meddow-ground: with the vse both of high-wood and vnder-wood. Whereunto is added a treatise, called Good mens recreation: contayning a discourse of the generall art of fishing, with the angle, and otherwise; and of all the hidden secrets belonging thereunto. Together vvith the choyce, ordering, breeding, and dyeting of the fighting cocke. A worke neuer written before by any author. By G.M.English husbandman. Part 2-3 (1614) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Cheape and good husbandry for the vvell-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases Contayning the natures, breeding, choyse, vse, feeding, and curing of the diseases of all manner of cattell, as horse, oxe, cow, sheepe, goates, swine, and tame-conies. Also, approued rules, for the cramming, and fatting, of all sorts of poultrie, and fowles, both tame and wilde, &c. And diuers good and well-approued medicines, for the cure of all the diseases in hawkes, of what kinde soeuer. Together, with the vse and profit of bees: the making of fishponds, and the taking of all sorts of fish. Gathered together for the generall good and profit of this whole realme, by exact and assured experience from English practises, both certaine, easie, and cheape: differing from all former and forraine experiments, which eyther agreed not with our clime, or were too hard to come by, or ouer-costly, to little purpose: all which herein are auoyded. (1614) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
A schoole for young souldiers containing in breife the whole discipline of vvarre, especially so much as is meet for captaine to teach, or the souldior to learne, that is, to trayne or to bee trayned : fit to be taught throughout England. (1615) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Markhams methode or epitome wherein is shewed his aprooued remedies for all diseases whatsoeuer incident to horses, oxen, kine, bulls, calues, sheep, lambs, goats, swine, dogs of all kind, conies, all sorts of poultrye, all water-foule, as geese, ducks, swans, and the like) pigeons, all singing birds, hawks of all kind; and other creatures seruice-able for the vse of man: deuided into twelue generall points or heads. By Gervase Markham. Gentleman.Cheape and good husbandry for the well-ordering of all beasts, and fowles, and for the generall cure of their diseases. Abridgments (1616) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Maison rustique, or The countrey farme· Compyled in the French tongue by Charles Steuens, and Iohn Liebault, Doctors of Physicke. And translated into English by Richard Surflet, practitioner in physicke. Now newly reuiewed, corrected, and augmented, with diuers large additions, out of the works of Serres his Agriculture, Vinet his Maison champestre, French. Albyterio in Spanish, Grilli in Italian; and other authors. And the husbandrie of France, Italie, and Spaine, reconciled and made to agree with ours here in England: by Geruase Markham. The whole contents are in the page followingAgriculture et maison rustique. English (1616) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Markhams farwell to husbandry or, The inriching of all sorts of barren and sterill grounds in our kingdome, to be as fruitfull in all manner of graine, pulse, and grasse as the best grounds whatsoeuer together with the anoyances, and preseruation of all graine and seede, from one yeare to many yeares. As also a husbandly computation of men and cattels dayly labours, their expences, charges, and vttermost profits. Attained by trauell and experience, being a worke neuer before handled by any author: and published for the good of the whole kingdome.Farewell to husbandry (1620) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Hungers preuention: or, The whole arte of fovvling by vvater and land Containing all the secrets belonging to that arte, and brought into a true forme or method, by which the most ignorant may know how to take any kind of fowle, either by land or water. Also, exceeding necessary and profitable for all such as trauell by sea, and come into vninhabited places: especially, all those that haue any thing to doe with new plantations. By Geruase Markham. (1621) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The true tragedy of Herod and Antipater with the death of faire Marriam. According to Iosephus, the learned and famous Iewe. As it hath beene, of late, diuers times publiquely acted (with great applause) at the Red Bull, by the Company of his Maiesties Reuels. Written by Geruase Markham, and William Sampson. Gentlemen. (1622) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Countrey contentments, or The English husvvife Containing the inward and outward vertues which ought to be in a compleate woman. As her skill in physicke, surgerie, extraction of oyles, banqueting-stuffe, ordering of great feasts, preseruing of all sorts of wines, conceited secrets, distillations, perfumes, ordering of wooll, hempe, flax, making cloth, dying, the knowledge of dayries, office of malting, oats, their excellent vses in a family, brewing, baking, and all other things belonging to an houshold. A worke generally approued, and now much augmented, purged and made most profitable and necessarie for all men, and dedicated to the honour of the noble house of Exceter, and the generall good of this kingdome. By G.M. (1623) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Honour in his perfection or, A treatise in commendations of the vertues and renowned vertuous vndertakings of the illustrious and heroycall princes Henry Earle of Oxenford. Henry Earle of Southampton, Robert Earle of Essex, and the euer praise-worthy and much honoured Lord, Robert Bartue, Lord Willoughby, of Eresby: with a briefe cronology of theirs, and their auncestours actions. And to the eternall memory of all that follow them now, or will imitate them hereafter, especially those three noble instances, the Lord Wriouthesley, the Lord Delaware, and the Lord Montioy. (1624) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The souldiers accidence. Or an introduction into military discipline containing the first principles and necessary knowledge meete for captaines, muster-masters, and all young souldiers of the infantrie, or foote bandes. Also, the cavallarie or formes of trayning of horse-troopes, as it hath beene received from the latest and best experiences armies. A worke fit for all noble, generous, and good spirits, that loue honor, or honorable action. G.M. (1625) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The inrichment of the vveald of Kent: or, A direction to the husbandman, for the true ordering, manuring, and inriching of all the grounds within the wealds of Kent and Sussex and may generally serue for all the grounds in England, of that nature: as, 1. Shewing the nature of all wealdish grounds, comparing it with the soyle of the shires at large. 2. Declaring what the marle is, and the seuerall sorts thereof, and where it is vsually found. 3. The profitable vse of marle, and other rich manurings, as well in each sort of arable land, as also for the encrease of corne and pasture through the kingdome. Painfully gathered for the good of this iland, by a man of great eminence and worth. (1625) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The souldiers grammar containing, the high, necessarie, and most curious rules of the art militarie : as first, whether it be in great motions in generall? or foote motions especially?, or motions of horse, generall, or speciall?, the ranges of foote, or horse?, the ranges of officers, the seuerall imbattailings of foote, and horse, the imbattailing of a regiment, the ioyning of many regiments, or the forming of maine battailes, of any extent, or number, with their formes, and figures, in liuely demonstration, &c. / by G.M. ... ; vnto which, is added the Booke of postures, according to that which is ordered by the lords of His Maiesties most honorable Priuie Counsell. (1626) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The second part of the soldiers grammar: or a schoole for young soldiers Especially for all such as are called to any place, or office, (how high or low soeuer) either in the citie, or countrey, for the training, and exercising of the trayned band, whether they be foote or horse. Together vvith perfect figures and demonstrations for attaining the knowledge of all manner of imbattailings, and other exercises. By G.M.Souldiers grammar. Part 2 (1627) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
Markhams faithfull farrier wherein the depth of his skill is layd open in all those principall and approued secrets of horsemanship, which the author neuer published, but hath kept in his brest, and hath beene the glory of his practise. (1630) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
A nevv orchard and garden, or, The best way for planting, grafting, and to make any ground good for a rich orchard particularly in the nor[th] and generally for the whole kingdome of England, as in nature, reason, situation and all probabilitie, may and doth appeare : with the country housewifes garden for hearbes of common vse, their vertues, seasons, profits, ornaments, varietie of knots, models for trees, and plots for the best ordering of grounds and walkes : as also the husbandry of bees, with their seuerall vses and annoyances, being the experience of 48 yeares labour ... / by William Lawson ; whereunto is newly added the art of propagating plants, with the tree ordering manner of fruits in their gathering, carring home & preseruation. (1631) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The English house-vvife Containing the inward and outward vertues which ought to be in a compleate woman. As her skill in physicke, surgery, cookery, extraction of oyles, banqueting-stuffe, ordering of great feasts, preseruing of all sorts of wines, conceited secrets, distillations, perfumes, ordering of wooll, hempe, flax, making cloth, and dying, the knowledge of dayries, office of malting, of oates, their excellent vses in a family, of brewing, baking, and all other things belonging to an houshold. A worke generally approued, and now the fourth time much augmented, purged and made most profitable and necessary for all men, and the generall good of this kingdome. By G.M.Country contentments, or the English huswife (1631) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The art of archerie Shewing how it is most necessary in these times for this kingdome, both in peace and war, and how it may be done without charge to the country, trouble to the people, or any hinderance to necessary occasions. Also, of the discipline, the postures, and whatsoever else is necessarie for the attayning to the art. (1634) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The complete farriar, or The kings high-way to horsmanship Experimentally unfolding 1. The dyeting and governing of the running horse. 2. How to order, feed, and keep any horse for war, pleasure, hunting, or travell. 3. How to know the age of any horse. Lastly, certaine rare and approved secrets for the cure of the worst infirmities in horses. By G. Markam.Discource of horsmanshippe. Abridgments (1639) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The perfect horseman, or, The experienced secrets of Mr. Markham's fifty years practice shewing how a man may come to be a general horseman, by the knowledge of these seven offices, viz. the breeder, feeder, ambler, rider, keeper, buyer, farrier / and now published by Lancelot Thetford, practitioner in the same art for the space of forty years. (1656) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The husbandman's jewel directing how to improve land from 10 l. per annum to 50 l. with small charge by planting ... (1695) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.
The Complete jockey, or, The most exact rules and methods to be observed for the training up of race-horses shewing how to prepare them for any heats or courses, with the manner of their keepings, instructions for their dressing and looking to their scourings, diets, matches, and racings, with every particular to be observed therein ... : to which is added, the most experienced way for buying horses, and instructions to avoid being cheated upon the like occasion, with a relation of the cheats and tricks the jockies and horse-coursers put on the unexpert buyers ... (1695) by Markham, Gervase, 1568?-1637.