John Palsgrave

was born in London, and educated in Grammar learning there, studied Logic and Philosophy at Cambridge till he was Bach. of Arts. Afterwards he went to Paris, where spending several Years also in Philosophical and other learning, took the Degree of Master of the said faculty, and became so excellent in the French tongue, that he was thought fit to be Tutor to the Daughter of K. Hen. 7. called the Lady Mary, when she was about to be married to Lewis the 12. K. of France. But that King dying soon after, the said Palsgrave came with her into England, taught the French Language to divers of our young Nobility, and became well benefic’d In 1531. he settled in Oxon for a time, and the next Year being incorporated Master of the faculty of Arts, was in few days after admitted to the reading of the Sentences, that is to the Degree of Bach. of Divinity, he being then Chaplain to K. Hen. 8. and esteemed the first Author of our Nation, or of the French Men, that had reduced the French tongue under certain rules, and the first in that kind of exercise that did begin to labour, as it plainly appears by his most laborious piece intit.

Lesclarcissement de la Language Francois. Lond. 1530. in three Books in a thick fol. Before which the Author hath a large Introduction in English; after which follows, (1) A table of Substantives. (2) A table of Adjectives. (3) The Pronoun. (4) The Numerals, &c. I never yet saw but one Copy of this Book, which being fill’d with Marginal Notes (by whom I know not) in a scribling hand, was bought by the learned Selden, and in his Library at Oxon. I perus’d it. The said Joh. Palsgrave hath also written Several Epistles, and published a translation of a Book intit. Ecphrastes Anglica in comoediam Acolasti. Or, the Comedy of Acolastus translated into our English tongue, after such a manner as Children are taught in the Grammar School; first word by word as the Latin lyeth, and afterwards according to the sense and meaning of the Latin sentences, &c. Lond. 1540. in qu. The said Comedy was made by one Will. Fullonius Hagiensis, an. 1529, and was living when it was put into English by Palsgrave, Clar. 1540. who was in great renown among Men for his Learning, in Fifteen hundred and forty, which was the two and thirtieth Year of King Hen. 8.

[Editor note: original text has JOHN PALSGRAVF]