Edward Hake
Encyclopedia
Edward Hake English satirist, was educated under John Hopkins, the part-author of the metrical version of the Psalms
.
He dwelt at Gray's Inn
and Barnard's Inn
, London. In the address To the Gentle Reader prefixed to his Newes out of Powles Churchyard ... Otherwise entitled Syr Nummus (2nd ed., 1579) he speaks of "the first three yeeres which I spent in the Innes of Chancery
, being now about a dosen of yeeres passed." In 1585 and 1586 he was mayor of New Windsor
, and in 1588 he represented the borough in parliament. His last work was published in 1604.
He was protected by the earl of Leicester
, whose policy it was to back the Puritan
party, and who no doubt found a valuable ally in so vigorous a satirist of error in clerical places as was Hake. Newes out of Paules Churchyarde, A Trappe for Syr Monye, first appeared in 1567, but no copy of this impression is known, and it was re-issued in 1579 with the name given above. The book takes the form of a dialogue between Bertulph and Paul, who meet in the aisles of the cathedral, and is divided into eight satyr
s, dealing with the corruption of the higher clergy and of judges, the greed of attorneys, the tricks of physicians and apothecaries
, the sumptuary law
s, extravagant living, Sunday sports, the abuse of St Paul's cathedral
as a meeting-place for business and conversation, usury
, and so on. It is written in rhymed fourteen-syllable metre, which is often more comic than the writer meant. It contains, amid much prefatory matter, a "note to the carping and scornefull Sicophant," in which he attacks his foes with small courtesy and much alliteration
. One is described as a "carping careless cankerd churle."
He also wrote:
A bibliography of these and of Hake's other works was compiled by Mr Charles Edmonds for his edition in 1872 of the Newes (Isham Reprints, No. 2, 1872).
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
.
He dwelt at Gray's Inn
Gray's Inn
The Honourable Society of Gray's Inn, commonly known as Gray's Inn, is one of the four Inns of Court in London. To be called to the Bar and practise as a barrister in England and Wales, an individual must belong to one of these Inns...
and Barnard's Inn
Barnard's Inn
Barnard's Inn is the current home of Gresham College in Holborn, London.-History:Barnard's Inn dates back at least to the mid 13th century — it was recorded as part of the estate of Sir Adam de Basyng, one time Mayor of London. It passed on to John Mackworth, the Dean of Lincoln who in turn passed...
, London. In the address To the Gentle Reader prefixed to his Newes out of Powles Churchyard ... Otherwise entitled Syr Nummus (2nd ed., 1579) he speaks of "the first three yeeres which I spent in the Innes of Chancery
Inns of Chancery
The Inns of Chancery or Hospida Cancellarie were a group of buildings and legal institutions in London initially attached to the Inns of Court and used as offices for the clerks of chancery, from which they drew their name...
, being now about a dosen of yeeres passed." In 1585 and 1586 he was mayor of New Windsor
New Windsor
New Windsor may refer to:*New Windsor, Illinois, United States*New Windsor, Maryland, United States*New Windsor, New York, United States*New Windsor, New Zealand, AucklandNew Windsor may also refer to:*Windsor, Berkshire, England...
, and in 1588 he represented the borough in parliament. His last work was published in 1604.
He was protected by the earl of Leicester
Earl of Leicester
The title Earl of Leicester was created in the 12th century in the Peerage of England , and is currently a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom, created in 1837.-Early creations:...
, whose policy it was to back the Puritan
Puritan
The Puritans were a significant grouping of English Protestants in the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritanism in this sense was founded by some Marian exiles from the clergy shortly after the accession of Elizabeth I of England in 1558, as an activist movement within the Church of England...
party, and who no doubt found a valuable ally in so vigorous a satirist of error in clerical places as was Hake. Newes out of Paules Churchyarde, A Trappe for Syr Monye, first appeared in 1567, but no copy of this impression is known, and it was re-issued in 1579 with the name given above. The book takes the form of a dialogue between Bertulph and Paul, who meet in the aisles of the cathedral, and is divided into eight satyr
Satyr
In Greek mythology, satyrs are a troop of male companions of Pan and Dionysus — "satyresses" were a late invention of poets — that roamed the woods and mountains. In myths they are often associated with pipe-playing....
s, dealing with the corruption of the higher clergy and of judges, the greed of attorneys, the tricks of physicians and apothecaries
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
, the sumptuary law
Sumptuary law
Sumptuary laws are laws that attempt to regulate habits of consumption. Black's Law Dictionary defines them as "Laws made for the purpose of restraining luxury or extravagance, particularly against inordinate expenditures in the matter of apparel, food, furniture, etc." Traditionally, they were...
s, extravagant living, Sunday sports, the abuse of St Paul's cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral
St Paul's Cathedral, London, is a Church of England cathedral and seat of the Bishop of London. Its dedication to Paul the Apostle dates back to the original church on this site, founded in AD 604. St Paul's sits at the top of Ludgate Hill, the highest point in the City of London, and is the mother...
as a meeting-place for business and conversation, usury
Usury
Usury Originally, when the charging of interest was still banned by Christian churches, usury simply meant the charging of interest at any rate . In countries where the charging of interest became acceptable, the term came to be used for interest above the rate allowed by law...
, and so on. It is written in rhymed fourteen-syllable metre, which is often more comic than the writer meant. It contains, amid much prefatory matter, a "note to the carping and scornefull Sicophant," in which he attacks his foes with small courtesy and much alliteration
Alliteration
In language, alliteration refers to the repetition of a particular sound in the first syllables of Three or more words or phrases. Alliteration has historically developed largely through poetry, in which it more narrowly refers to the repetition of a consonant in any syllables that, according to...
. One is described as a "carping careless cankerd churle."
He also wrote:
- a translation from Thomas à KempisThomas à KempisThomas à Kempis was a late Medieval Catholic monk and the probable author of The Imitation of Christ, which is one of the best known Christian books on devotion. His name means, "Thomas of Kempen", his home town and in German he is known as Thomas von Kempen...
, The Imitation, or Following of Christ (1567, 1568) - A Touchstone for this Time Present (1574), a scurrilous attack on the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
, followed by a treatise on education - A Commemoration of the Raigne of Elizabeth (1575), enlarged in 1578 to A Joyfull Continuance of the Commemoration, etc.
- of Golds Kingdom, and this Unhelping Age (1604), a collection of pieces in prose and verse, in which the author inveighs against the power of gold
A bibliography of these and of Hake's other works was compiled by Mr Charles Edmonds for his edition in 1872 of the Newes (Isham Reprints, No. 2, 1872).