John Reynolds (merchant)
Encyclopedia
John Reynolds was an English merchant from Exeter
, known as a writer. He produced a series of violent stories around marriage, adultery and murder; and also political writings that caused him to be imprisoned.
in 1624. He married in 1626, again in 1644, and is recorded in 1655 but not later.
, and also translated works from the French.
Stories
He published in 1621 a first instalment of moralistic but sensational stories; he feigned that these were translations from the French, but in fact they were of his own composition. The collective title of what became a series of publications was The Triumphs of God's Revenge against the crying and execrable Sinne of (Wilfull and Premeditated) Murther. Five other similar collections followed the first one, in separate volumes. These tales had a long subsequent publishing history; and in their own period they formed source material for the stage plays The Changeling and The Maid's Revenge
.
In 1635 the six parts were collected in a single volume, the 30 "Tragicall Histories" begin arranged with separate titles and dedications still to each book. It was reissued in 1639 and in 1640 (the ‘second edition’). A Dutch translation appeared at Amsterdam in 1667. A later edition, dated 1669 and illustrated by woodcuts, was edited by Samuel Pordage
, who dedicated it to Lord Shaftesbury, and added an unpublished piece assigned to Reynolds, God's Revenge against the abominable Sin of Adultery, containing ten several Histories; further editions appeared in 1708 and 1779.
Poetical works
Dolarnys Primrose was an early work, published in 1606. In 1650 Reynolds published an imitation of the Arcadia, with interspersed verse, entitled The Flower of Fidelitie: displaying, in a continuate historie, the various adventures of three foreign princes (London, 1650); a seventh edition, with alterations, bore the alternative title of the Garden of Love (London, 1721). Reynolds dedicated his romance, which may also have been written in early life, to William Waltham, his father-in-law. He is credited with another poem that remained unpublished, entitled Love's Laurel Garland.
Political pamphlets
Vox coeli and Votivae Angliae (around 1624, and often attributed to Thomas Scott
) concern respectively the Spanish match and the politics of the Electoral Palatinate, bound up with the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War
.
Translations
Reynolds was also author of translations:
Attribution
(From the subarticle.)
Exeter
Exeter is a historic city in Devon, England. It lies within the ceremonial county of Devon, of which it is the county town as well as the home of Devon County Council. Currently the administrative area has the status of a non-metropolitan district, and is therefore under the administration of the...
, known as a writer. He produced a series of violent stories around marriage, adultery and murder; and also political writings that caused him to be imprisoned.
Life
He travelled in France on business, and was probably resident there from 1619. His pamphlets caused him to be extradited from France and imprisoned by James I of EnglandJames I of England
James VI and I was King of Scots as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the English and Scottish crowns on 24 March 1603...
in 1624. He married in 1626, again in 1644, and is recorded in 1655 but not later.
Works
Reynolds wrote moral tales, poetry, political pamphlets around the time of the Spanish matchSpanish Match
The Spanish Match was a proposed marriage between Prince Charles, the son of King James I of England, and Infanta Maria Anna of Spain, the daughter of Philip III of Spain...
, and also translated works from the French.
Stories
He published in 1621 a first instalment of moralistic but sensational stories; he feigned that these were translations from the French, but in fact they were of his own composition. The collective title of what became a series of publications was The Triumphs of God's Revenge against the crying and execrable Sinne of (Wilfull and Premeditated) Murther. Five other similar collections followed the first one, in separate volumes. These tales had a long subsequent publishing history; and in their own period they formed source material for the stage plays The Changeling and The Maid's Revenge
The Maid's Revenge
The Maid's Revenge is an early Caroline era stage the play, the earliest extant tragedy by James Shirley. It was first published in 1639.The Maid's Revenge was licensed for performance by Sir Henry Herbert, the Master of the Revels, on February 9, 1626. It was the second of Shirley's plays to be...
.
In 1635 the six parts were collected in a single volume, the 30 "Tragicall Histories" begin arranged with separate titles and dedications still to each book. It was reissued in 1639 and in 1640 (the ‘second edition’). A Dutch translation appeared at Amsterdam in 1667. A later edition, dated 1669 and illustrated by woodcuts, was edited by Samuel Pordage
Samuel Pordage
Samuel Pordage was a 17th century English poet. He is best known by his Azaria and Hushai , a reply to John Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel.-Life:...
, who dedicated it to Lord Shaftesbury, and added an unpublished piece assigned to Reynolds, God's Revenge against the abominable Sin of Adultery, containing ten several Histories; further editions appeared in 1708 and 1779.
Poetical works
Dolarnys Primrose was an early work, published in 1606. In 1650 Reynolds published an imitation of the Arcadia, with interspersed verse, entitled The Flower of Fidelitie: displaying, in a continuate historie, the various adventures of three foreign princes (London, 1650); a seventh edition, with alterations, bore the alternative title of the Garden of Love (London, 1721). Reynolds dedicated his romance, which may also have been written in early life, to William Waltham, his father-in-law. He is credited with another poem that remained unpublished, entitled Love's Laurel Garland.
Political pamphlets
Vox coeli and Votivae Angliae (around 1624, and often attributed to Thomas Scott
Thomas Scott (preacher)
Thomas Scott was an English preacher, a radical Protestant known for anti-Spanish and anti-Catholic pamphlets.-Life:He was born about 1580, and occurs as one of the chaplains to James I in 1616, being then B.D...
) concern respectively the Spanish match and the politics of the Electoral Palatinate, bound up with the outbreak of the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
.
Translations
Reynolds was also author of translations:
- A Treatise of the Court (1622), from the French of Eustache de RefugeEustache de RefugeEustache de Refuge, seigneur de Précy et de Courcelles , was an Early Modern French courtier, statesman and author.- Biography :...
, dedicated to Charles, Prince of WalesCharles I of EnglandCharles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
; - The Judgment of Humane Actions (1629), from the French of Leonard Marrauld;
- The Divine Pourtrait (1631), from the French of Jean Mestrezat.
Further reading
- Jerry H. Bryant, John Reynolds of Exeter and his Canon Library (1960) s5-XV(2): 105-117 doi:10.1093/library/s5-XV.2.105
- Jerry H. Bryant, John Reynolds of Exeter and his Canon: A Footnote Library (1963) s5-XVIII (4): 299-303. doi: 10.1093/library/s5-XVIII.4.299
- Jerry H. Bryant, John Reynolds of Exeter's “Love's Laurell Garland”: An Unpublished Romance, Manuscripta Volume 8, Number 3, November 1964, pp. 131-145. doi:10.1484/J.MSS.3.390.
Attribution
(From the subarticle.)