William Lauder (poet)
Encyclopedia
William Lauder was a sixteenth century Scottish cleric, playwright
, and poet
.
It appears that he had a liberal education and was probably intended for The Church. In the Registers of the University of St. Andrews the name Willielmus Lauder, Lothian is among the students who were incorporated in St Salvator's College in the year 1537.
as a Roman Catholic priest and been connected with one of the religious establishments of Edinburgh
. It is not known when he joined the Reformers, whether before, or subsequent to, the establishment of Protestantism
, in August 1560. However about 1563 or 1564 he was admitted Minister of the united parishes of Forgandenny
, Forteviot
, and Muckarsie, in the Presbytery of Perth
, and his name appears in the earliest Register of Ministers, and thair Stipends, sen the year of God 1567 when he was receiving £80 sterling per annum. However, in the margin of this very early Register, against his entry, it is written "Deid at Candilmes (Candlemass
), 1572. This is confirmed in the accounts of the collectors for the 'Thirds of benefices for Perth and Strathearn', and where, in 1572, his "relict" is mentioned (but without giving her name).
, on December 28, 1554, for which he was handsomely paid.
Four years later, Lauder's inventive powers were again exercised in producing one of those plays, or 'moralities', which were so common at that time, to celebrate the marriage of the young Mary, Queen of Scots with Francis, Dauphin of France, at Paris
, in July 1558. Although these two plays appear now to be lost, the Council Records and the Lord High Treasurer's Accounts enable us to ascertain the nature of the last performance, in which the chief personages were the Seven Planets, and Cupid
. There are numerous payments under the heading of "The expensis maid upone the triumphe and play at the mariage of the Quenis Grace, with the convoy, the [blank] day of Julij, anno 1558." Many of these relate to the costumes and arrangements.
In 1827 the Reverend Peter Hall reprinted Lauder's famous work, Compendious Tractate, in the Crypt. Until that time William Lauder had almost vanished from the annals. Interest was revived and two small poetical tracts by William Lauder in 1568 and printed before 1572 were also discovered. One of these tracts was entitled Ane Prettie Mirrour, or Conference betiux the faithful Protestant and the Dissemblit false Hypocreit, "printed at Edinburgh by Robert Lekpreuik" about 1570. At the end it states: "Quod William Lauder." Two further short poems followed, entitled Ane trew & breue Sentencius Discriptioun of the nature of Scotland, Twitching the Interteniment of virtewus men That laketh Ryches, "compyld be William Lauder, Minister of God's wourd, &c.," and Ane Gude Exempill Be the butterflie, instructing men to hait all Harlottrie. The latter has, at the end, "Quod William Lauder, Minister." A further poem was also bound into the volume, entitled The Lamenta[t]ioun Of the Pure, twitching the Miserabill Estait of this Present Warld, "Compylit be William Lauder, at Perth, Primo Fabruarie, 1568" (1568/9).
One of the most important, if not the best known, of Lauder's works is his Tract concernyng the Office and Dewtie of Kyngis, spiritvall pastoris, and temporall ivgis.
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
, and poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
.
Early life
William Lauder was a native of the Lothians. The precise date and place of his birth, or anything regarding his family connections, have not yet been ascertained, although he is almost certainly a member of one of the great Lauder families of that time - Lauder of The Bass, or Lauder of Haltoun.It appears that he had a liberal education and was probably intended for The Church. In the Registers of the University of St. Andrews the name Willielmus Lauder, Lothian is among the students who were incorporated in St Salvator's College in the year 1537.
Ministry
Upon leaving the university the poet may have taken Holy OrdersHoly Orders
The term Holy Orders is used by many Christian churches to refer to ordination or to those individuals ordained for a special role or ministry....
as a Roman Catholic priest and been connected with one of the religious establishments of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. It is not known when he joined the Reformers, whether before, or subsequent to, the establishment of Protestantism
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
, in August 1560. However about 1563 or 1564 he was admitted Minister of the united parishes of Forgandenny
Forgandenny
Forgandenny is a small village in Perth and Kinross, located four miles south of Perth, Scotland, UK. Perth is a 20 minute bus ride from Forgandenny, and there is a regular Stagecoach service. Forgandenny is 45 minutes from Edinburgh and one hour from Glasgow...
, Forteviot
Forteviot
Forteviot is a village in Strathearn, Scotland on the south bank of the River Earn between Dunning and Perth. It lies in the council area of Perth and Kinross...
, and Muckarsie, in the Presbytery of Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
, and his name appears in the earliest Register of Ministers, and thair Stipends, sen the year of God 1567 when he was receiving £80 sterling per annum. However, in the margin of this very early Register, against his entry, it is written "Deid at Candilmes (Candlemass
Candlemass
Candlemass are an influential Swedish doom metal band established in 1984 by Leif Edling , their leader and songwriter. The band is originally from Stockholm. After releasing five full-length albums and touring extensively throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Candlemass disbanded in 1994, but...
), 1572. This is confirmed in the accounts of the collectors for the 'Thirds of benefices for Perth and Strathearn', and where, in 1572, his "relict" is mentioned (but without giving her name).
Literary career
He distinguished himself by his literary talents from an early date. In February 1548/9 the Treasurer's Accounts show a payment to "Williame Lauder, for making of his play, and expensis maid thairupoun, £11:5:0" performed at the wedding celebrations of Alexander, Lord Gordon, and Lady Barbara Hamilton. A few years later he is on record furnishing a play, or dramatic representation, which was performed at the expense of the Magistrates and Council of Edinburgh for the Dowager Queen, Mary of GuiseMary of Guise
Mary of Guise was a queen consort of Scotland as the second spouse of King James V. She was the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots, and served as regent of Scotland in her daughter's name from 1554 to 1560...
, on December 28, 1554, for which he was handsomely paid.
Four years later, Lauder's inventive powers were again exercised in producing one of those plays, or 'moralities', which were so common at that time, to celebrate the marriage of the young Mary, Queen of Scots with Francis, Dauphin of France, at Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, in July 1558. Although these two plays appear now to be lost, the Council Records and the Lord High Treasurer's Accounts enable us to ascertain the nature of the last performance, in which the chief personages were the Seven Planets, and Cupid
Cupid
In Roman mythology, Cupid is the god of desire, affection and erotic love. He is the son of the goddess Venus and the god Mars. His Greek counterpart is Eros...
. There are numerous payments under the heading of "The expensis maid upone the triumphe and play at the mariage of the Quenis Grace, with the convoy, the [blank] day of Julij, anno 1558." Many of these relate to the costumes and arrangements.
In 1827 the Reverend Peter Hall reprinted Lauder's famous work, Compendious Tractate, in the Crypt. Until that time William Lauder had almost vanished from the annals. Interest was revived and two small poetical tracts by William Lauder in 1568 and printed before 1572 were also discovered. One of these tracts was entitled Ane Prettie Mirrour, or Conference betiux the faithful Protestant and the Dissemblit false Hypocreit, "printed at Edinburgh by Robert Lekpreuik" about 1570. At the end it states: "Quod William Lauder." Two further short poems followed, entitled Ane trew & breue Sentencius Discriptioun of the nature of Scotland, Twitching the Interteniment of virtewus men That laketh Ryches, "compyld be William Lauder, Minister of God's wourd, &c.," and Ane Gude Exempill Be the butterflie, instructing men to hait all Harlottrie. The latter has, at the end, "Quod William Lauder, Minister." A further poem was also bound into the volume, entitled The Lamenta[t]ioun Of the Pure, twitching the Miserabill Estait of this Present Warld, "Compylit be William Lauder, at Perth, Primo Fabruarie, 1568" (1568/9).
One of the most important, if not the best known, of Lauder's works is his Tract concernyng the Office and Dewtie of Kyngis, spiritvall pastoris, and temporall ivgis.