Athenæ Oxonienses. The History of Oxford Writers. Vol. 1, p. 20
John Skelton
the eminent Poet of his time, was
originally, if not nearly, descended from the Skeltons of
Cumberland; and having been educated in this University,
as Job. Baleus
(n)(n) In lib. De Scriptoribus Anglicis, M S. inter cod. M S S. Selden, in bib. Bodl. p. 69. b. attests, who stiles him Oxonii Poeta
laureatus, became highly renowned among Men for his
Poetry and Philology. Afterwards taking holy Orders,
he was made Rector of Dysse in Norfolk, where, and in
the Diocess, he was esteemed more fit for the Stage,
than the Pew or Pulpit. The Reader is now to know
that one John Skelton was made (o)(o)
Regist. Hadr. de Castello Episc. B. & Wellen. sub an. 1512. Vicar of Dultyng in
the Diocess of Bath and Wells an. 1512, upon the promotion
of Hugh Ynge to the See of Meath in Ireland; where
having continued some Years without a degree, (as some
Chancellors, Archdeacons, nay Priors, Abbats, and Deans,
have so done in their respective times and places) did retire
to Oxon, study there with leave from his Diocesan,
and in July 1518. (10. Hen. 8.) was (p)(p) Reg. Congregat. Univ. Oxon. notat. cum litera H. sub an. 1518. admitted to the
extraordinary reading of any Book of the Decretals, that
is to the degree of Bach. of Decrees, which some call
the Canon Law. The next Year I (q)(q)
Reg. Tho. Wolsey Episc. Bath & Wells. an. 1519. find him to be
made Rector of Westquamtoked in the said Diocess, by the
Name and Title of John Skelton Bach. of Decrees, and in
1525. Rector (r)(r)
Reg. Joh. Clerke Ep. Bath & Wells an. 1525. of Clotwortley there. But this Joh. Skelton
I cannot take to be the same with him that was the Poet
and Rector of Dysse; who having been guilty of certain
crimes, (as most Poets are) at least not agreeable to his
coat, fell under the heavy censure of Rich. Nykke Bishop
of Norwich his Diocesan; especially for his scoffs and ill
language against the Monks and Dominicans in his Writings.
In which also, reflecting on the actions of Cardinal
Wolsey, he was so closely pursued by his Officers, that
he was forced to take Sanctuary at Westminster, where he
was kindly entertained by John Islipp the Abbat, and continued
there to the time of his Death. Erasmus in an Epistle
to King Hen. 8. doth stile this Poet Britannicarum Literarum
lumen & decus, and of the like opinion were many
of his time; yet the generality said, that his witty discourses
were biting, his laughter opprobrious and scornful,
and his jokes commonly sharp and reflecting. He hath
written, besides translations, 50 several things upon various
Subjects, as well in Prose as Verse, among which
are these.
A Comedy of Virtue.
A Comedy of good Order.
Meditation on St. Anne.
On the Virgin of Kent.
Sonners on Dame Anne.
Elynor Rummin (or Elynour of Rummyng) the famous
Ale-Wife of England—This was several times Printed,
and one Impression, which was the last I think, was
made at London 1624. in 2 Sheets and an half in 4to. In
the Title Page is the Picture of an old ill-favour’d Woman,
holding in her hand a black Pot of Ale, and underneath
her these Verses are written,
When Skelton wore the Lawrel Crown,
My Ale put all the Ale-Wives down.
This Book is the same, I conceive, which some Authors
call The tunning of Elynor Rumpkin. He hath also
written,
The Peregrination of humane Life.
Solitary Sonnets.
The art of Dying well.
The art of Speaking eloquently.
Manners and fashions of the Court.
Reasons why he goeth not to the Court.
Invective against Will. Lilye the Grammarian—This
being written in Verse and very carping, was returned
in its kind by the Grammarian,
Epitaphs on several Kings, Princes, and Nobles—Two or more of which you may see in a Book intit. Reges, Reginae, Nobiles & alii in Eccl. collegiata B. Petri Westmonast. sepulti, usque ad an. 1600. published by Will. Camden—Lond. 1600. qu. See more in Will. Baldewyn among these Writers under the Year 1564. I have seen another Book of Skelton bearing this title.
Here after followeth a little Boke called Colyn-Clout, compiled by Master Skelton Poet Laureate—Printed in an old Engl. Char. at London in 8vo without date, by Abraham Veale, much about the time, as I conceive, of the Authors death. The beginning of it is,
What can it avayle
To drive forth a snayle
Or to make a Sayle, &c.
Poetical Fancies and Satyrs. Lond. 1512. oct.
Verses on the creation of Arthur Pr. of Wales—and other things which are slightly and unsatisfactorily set down by Baleus and his follower Pitseus. At length, our Poet dying in his Sanctuary, was buried in the Chancel of the Church of St. Margaret within the City of Westminster, in Fifteen hundred twenty and nine. 1529 (21. Hen. 8.) Over his Grave was this Inscription soon after put. Johannes Skeltonus Vates pierius hic situs est. Animam egit (ejicit) XXI Junii an. Dom. MDXXIX. Near to his Body was afterwards buried an old Court-Poet called Tho. Churchyard, and not in the Church Porch, as certain old Rhimes tell you, beginning thus.
Come Alecto, and lend me thy torch, To find a Church-yard in a Church-porch.
I find another Joh. Skelton, who lived in the time of King Hen. 4 but he was a D. of D. and a Dominican (as I (n)(n) In Hist. & Antiq. Vniv. Ox. lib. 1. p. 65. a. b. have elsewhere told you) and therefore I conceive it the reason why Baleus stileth (o)(o) In cent. 8. num. 66. this Poet Dr. of Divinity, which no other Author beside himself doth. Another Job. Skelton I find, who was confirmed Abbat of Whitby in Yorkshire (upon the Death of Tho. Bolton) by the Archb. of York, 6. Nov. 1413.