George Pettie

, a younger Son of John le Petite or Pettie of Tetsworth and Stoke-Tatmach in Oxfordshire Esq; was born in that County, and at about 16 years of age, an. 1564 was a Scholar or Student of Ch. Ch. under Mr. Tho. Barnard Canon thereof, and took one Degree in Arts as a member of that house in the latter end of the Year 1568. Soon after he left the University, travelled beyond the Seas, and at length became excellent for his passionate penning of amorous stories, equal for poetical invention with his dear Friend Will. Gager, and as much commended for his neat stile as any of his time. He hath written a book intit.

A Petite pallace of Pettie his pleasure, containing many pretty stories in comely colours and most delightful discourses—Printed at Lond. twice at least in an English character, one of which editions bears date, 1608. in qu. written in imitation of a book intit. The pallace of pleasure beautified, adorned and well furnished with pleasant histories and excellent Novells, &c. Lond. 1569. qu. written by Will. Painter Clerk of the ordinance and armory within the Tower of London. The aforesaid Petite pallace, &c. I have in my study, and for the respect I bear to the name of the Author (he having been uncle to my Mother Maria la Petite) I will keep it, but ’tis so far now from being excellent or fine, that it is more fit to be read by a School-boy, or rustical amoratto, than by a Gent. of mode or language. The said George Pettie translated from French into English, (with a preface of his own put to it,) The civile conversation of M. Stephen Guazzo, in 4. books.—Lond. 1586. qu. written originally in the Italian tongue, which I have also. Three of the said books were translated by the said Pettie, the fourth was begun by him, but finished by Barthelm. Young of the Middle Temple Gentleman, being the same Barthelmew, as I think, who lived afterwards at Ashurst in Kent, and died therein 1621. What other matters G. Pettie hath written, or translated, I cannot tell, nor do I know any thing material of him besides, only that he died in the prime of his years at Plymouth in Devonshire (being then a Captain and a Man of note) about the latter end of July in Fifteen hundred eighty and nine, 1589 and was buried, as I have been told, in the great Church there. The Lands which he had by his Fathers gift in Aston-Rowant, in Kingston in the Parish thereof, and at Tetsworth in Oxfordshire, he gave to his Brother Christopher Pettie.