John Heywood

or Heewood, a most noted Poet and jester of his time, was born in the City of London, and notwithstanding he is said to be (o)(o) Baleus p. 110. inter cent. 12. & 13. Civis Londinensis, yet he laid a foundation of learning in this University, particularly, as it seems, in that ancient Hostle called Broadgates in St. Aldates Parish: But the crabbedness of Logick not suiting with his airie genie, he retired to his native place, and became noted to all witty Men, especially to Sir Tho. More, (with whom he was very familiar) wrot several matters of Poetry, and was the first, as some say, (but I think false) that wrot English plays, taking opportunity thence to make notable work with the Clergy. He had admirable skill also in instrumental and vocal Musick, but whether he made any compositions in either, I find not. He was in much esteem with K. H. 8. for the mirth and quickness of his conceits, and tho he had little learning in him, yet he was by that King well rewarded. After Qu. Mary came to the Crown, he was much valued by her, often had the honor to wait on, and exercise his fancy before, her; which he did, even to the time that she lay langushing on her death-bed. After her decease he left the Nation for Religion sake, and setled at Mechlin in Brabant, which is a wonder to some, who will allow no Religion in Poets, that this Person should above all of his Profession be a voluntary exile for it. He hath written,

The Play called the four PP. being a new and merry enterlude of a Palmer, Pardoner, Poticary and Pedler—Printed at London in an old Engl. character in qu. and hath in the title page the pictures of three Men (there should be 4) in old fashioned habits, wrought off from a wooden cut.

The Pinner of Wakefeld, a Comedie.

Philotas Scotch, a Com.—I have seen also an interlude of youth; Printed at Lond. in an old English Char. temp. Hen. 8. but whether Jo. Heywood was the Author of it, I know not. He also wrot,

A Dialogue containing the number in effect of all the proverbs in the English tongue, compact in a matter concerning two manner of marriages, corrected and somewhat augmented by the Author. Lond. 1547. and 1598. in two parts in qu. All written in old English verse, and printed in an English Character.

Three hundred Epigrams upon 300 Proverbs. Lond. without date, and there again 1598. qu. All in old English character.

The fourth hundred of Epigrams. Lond. without date, and there again 1598. qu.

The Fifth Sixth hundred of Epigr. LOnd. 1598. qu.

The Spider and the Flie. A parable of the Spider and the Flie. Lond. 1556. in a pretty thick qu. and all in old English verse. Before the title, is the picture of Jo. Heywood from head to foot printed from a wooden Cut, with a fur-gown on, representing the fashion of that almost belonging to a Master of Arts, but the bottom of the sleeves reach no lower than his knees. On his head is a round cap, his chin and lips are close shav’d, and hath a dagger hanging at his girdle. After the Preface, which is in verse, follows a table of all the Chapters in the Book, then follows his picture again, as is before described. In the beginning of every chapter (in number 77.) is the Authors picture either standing or sitting before a table, with a Book on it, and the representation of a window near it, with cobwebs, flies, and spiders in it. ’Tis one of the first printed Books in the English tongue that hath many Cuts; and no doubt there is, but that it was in high value in Qu. Maries Reign, as the Author of it was, who ending his days at Mechlin, 1565 about Fifteen hundred sixty and five, was buried there, leaving behind him several Children, to whom he had given liberal education: among which were Ellis, and Jaspar, Heywood, the former Bach. of the Civil Law, the other M. of Arts, of this University, and both afterwards noted Jesuits.