Winstanley, William
, originally a barber,
author of the “Lives of the Poets;” of “Select Lives of
England’s Worthies;” “Historical Rarities;” “The Loyal
Martyrology;” and some single lives; all in 8vo. Granger
says he is a fantastical writer, and of the lowest class of
biographers:. but we are obliged to him for many notices
of persons and things, which are mentioned by no other
writer, which must account for his “England’s Worthies”
being a book still in request; and, as some of the vampers
think, even worthy of being illustrated by prints. It is
not, however, generally known, that it is necessary to have
both editions of this work; those of 1660 and 1684, in
order to possess the whole of his biographical labours:
Winstanley, who could trim in politics as well as trade,
omitted from the latter all the republican lives, and substituted others in their room. He flourished in the reigns
of Charles I. II. andJames II. and was probably alive at
the publication of his second edition, in which he changed
his dedication, adopting new patrons. * In the “Gensura
Literaria,” vol. V. is an account of “The Muses Cabinet,”
1655, 12mo, containing his original poetry, which is
called in the title-page “both pleasant and profitable;”
but now we are afraid will not be thought either. He was
a great plagiary, and took his character of the English
poets from Phillips’s “Theatrum,” and much from Fuller
and others, without any acknowledgment. 1
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Works found by this author (or others with similar names) in the Early English Books Online Collection:
The Muses cabinet, stored with variety of poems, both pleasant and profitable. / By W.W. (1655) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
England's vvorthies. Select lives of the most eminent persons from Constantine the Great, to the death of Oliver Cromwel late Protector. / By William Winstanley, Gent. (1660) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The loyall martyrology, or, Brief catalogues and characters of the most eminent persons who suffered for their conscience during the late times of rebellion either by death, imprisonment, banishment, or sequestration together with those who were slain in the Kings service : as also dregs of treachery : with the catalogue and characters of those regicides who sat as judges on our late dread soveraign of ever blessed memory : with others of that gang, most eminent for villany / by William Winstanley. (1665) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins Character of France, or, France painted to the life in a brief dialogue of the description of that nation, their manners, customs, complements, language, discourse &c. : as also, an exact character of the city of Paris, of their gentry, peasants, women &c. / by Poor Robin ... (1666) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robin's jests: or, The compleat jester Being a collection of several jests not heretofore published. Now newly composed and written by that well-known gentleman, Poor Robin, knight of the burnt island, and well-willer to the mathematicks. Together with the true and lively effigies of the said author. Licensed Feb. 2. 1666. Roger L'Estrange. (1667) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The honour of merchant-taylors wherein is set forth the noble acts, valliant deeds, and heroick performances of merchant-taylors in former ages, their honourable loves, and knightly adventures ... together with their pious acts and large benevolences, their building of publick structures, especially that of Blackwell-Hall, to be a market place for the selling of woollen cloaths ... / written by VVilliam VVinstanley. (1668) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins character of a Dutch-man as also his predictions on the affairs of the United Provinces of Holland, together with a brief epitomy of the ingratitude of the Dutch, and the English at Amboyna, Polaroon and other islands in the East Indies. (1672) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins character of an honest drunken curr with a relation of the frollicks of his life and conversation and his epitaph. (1675) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robin's visions wherein is described the present humours of the times, the vices and fashionable fopperies thereof, and after what manner men are punished for them hereafter : discovered in a dream. (1677) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins opinion of the present blazing star, appearing in the north-east part of the heavens, this present year, 1677 which is far more remarkable than any before of that nature, by reason of the strangeness of its position. (1677) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins prophesies and divertisements (1677) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Four for a penny, or, Poor Robin's character of an unconscionable pawn-broker, and ear-mark of an oppressing tally-man with a friendly description of a bum-baily, and his merciless setting-cur, or follower. (1678) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robin's true character of a scold, or, The shrews looking-glass dedicated to all domineering dames, wives rampant, cuckolds couohant, and hen-peckt sneaks, in city or country. (1678) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins perambulation from Saffron-Walden to London performed this month of July, 1678. (1678) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
A scourge for Poor Robin, or, The exact picture of a bad husband drawn to the life, by an experienc'd female-hand, to revenge her injured sex, for the abusive truth of the late character of a scold. (1678) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The country-man's guide or plain directions for ordering. Curing. Breeding choice, use, and feeding. Of horses, cows, sheep, hoggs, &c. Adorn'd with sculptuers, shewing the proper places in the bodies of the said several beasts, where the said distempers do usually happen. Published for the publick good, by W.W. (1679) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robin's prophecy being a true astronomical prediction on the beginning, continuance, and catastrophe of the ensuing year 1679, and what will be the principal actions therein. (1679) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The delectable history of Poor Robin the merry sadler of Walden Shewing many merry passages of his life, of harmless mirth, to lengthen delight, and frive away melancholly (1680) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The new help to discourse or, Wit, mirth, and jollity. intermixt with more serious matters consisting of pleasant astrological, astronomical, philosophical, grammatical, physical, chyrurgical, historical, moral, and poetical questions and answers. As also histories, poems, songs, epitaphs, epigrams, anagrams, acrosticks, riddles, jests, poesies, complements, &c. With several other varieties intermixt; together with The countrey-man's guide; containing directions for the true knowledge of several matters concerning astronomy and husbandry, in a more plain and easie method than any yet extant. By W. W. gent. (1680) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins dream, or, The Visions of hell with a dialogue between the two ghosts of Dr. T. and Capt. B. (1681) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robin, 1683 a prognostication for the year of our Lord God 1683 : containing the vulgar notes for this present years times when to marry a good wife if you can light of her, a description of the three eclipses of this year, two of the moon, and one of the sun, when they happen, and what it signified by them, a more accurate account of the four quarters of the year, than hath hitherto been given, a very useful scheme ... (1683) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Historical rarities and curious observations domestick & foreign containing fifty three several remarks ... with thirty seven more several histories, very pleasant and delightful / collected out of approved authors, by William Winstanley ... (1684) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The honour of the taylors, or, The famous and renowned history of Sir John Hawkwood, Knight containing his many rare and singular adventures, witty exploits, heroick atchievements, and noble performances relating to love & arms in many lands : in the series of which history are contained likewise the no less famous actions and enterprizes of others of the same art and mystery : with many remarkable passages relating to customs, manners &c., ancient and modern : illustrated with pictures and embelished with verses and songs wonderfully pleasant and delightful : to which, as an appendix, is added a brief account of the original of the Worshipful Company of Merchant-Taylors, as to their being incorporated &c., ...Honour of the Merchant Taylors (1687) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The lives of the most famous English poets, or, The honour of Parnassus in a brief essay of the works and writings of above two hundred of them, from the time of K. William the Conqueror to the reign of His present Majesty, King James II / written by William Winstanley, author of The English worthies ... (1687) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
Poor Robins hue and cry after Good House-Keeping, or, A dialogue betwixt Good House-Keeping, Christmas, and Pride shewing how Good House-Keeping is grown out of date both in city and country, and Christmas become only a meer name and not to be found by feasting in gentlemens houses but only by red-letters in almanacks : and how the money that should go to feast the poor at Christmas is spent upon the maintenance of Pride, with how many trades are maintained by Pride, and how many undone for want of Good House-Keeping. (1687) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The Essex champion, or, The famous history of Sir Billy of Billerecay and his squire Ricardo (1690) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
The Essex champion, or, The famous history of Sir Billy of Billerecay and his Squire Ricardo shewing the renowned atchievements and valiant acts of the invincible knight Sir Billy of Billerecay with his love to his Lady Dulcinia, as also, the comical exploits and amorous adventures of Squire Ricardo performed by his invisible ring, their tilts and tournaments in honour of ladies, their battles with gyants and monsters, their punishing of inchanters and negromancers, pedlars and poppit-players / being that excellent piece of knight-errantry written by William Winstandly. (1699) by Winstanley, William, 1628?-1698.
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