A letter from King
Charles
(1600-49)
to the Aldermen
of
London,
advising them to appoint
Thomas May
(1595-1650, writer and
translator)
as a replacement for
Jonson
as City Chronologer, August 1637 . The letter
occupies a single sheet and is marginally dated 'augus t 1637' in
crayon in a modern hand. The phrase 'by the death of Benjamin Johnson' is underlined
in the same crayon.
Eugene Giddens
Trusty &c. Whereas we vnderstand that the place of Historian to that
our Citty of
London
is
be
become void by the death of
Benjamin Johnson, and
that we are
⎡being⎤ desirous
that place
should be supplyed by some fitt
person for
his
abilities and learning We doe therefore
recomend vnto yow
Thomas May
gent whome We knowe to be very able and every way
qualified for that imployment.
We doe therefore
expecting
that yow forthwith
confer
chuse him the said
Thomas May
to
the said place to be enjoyed by him with all
priuiledges, profittes , and [inkblot
damage] whatsoeuer thervnto belonging in as ample munn [inkblot
damage] d s: l: [This damaged statement implies that the
remuneration (d=pennies, s=shillings, and l=pounds) for the office should be
kept the same as before.] or any other hath heeretofore ⎡held⎤
had and enjoyed
the same, which wilbe very acceptable to
Vs and an aduantage to yow, considering the ⎡great meritt &⎤ eminency
of
in learning of this ⎡gentleman⎤ .
[p. 2]
Mr May
for Historian of
London
Bibliography
JAB, 199
Charles was the second son and third child of James I and VI and Anne of Denmark. He was created Prince of Wales in 1617, following the death of his brother Prince Henry in 1612, and succeeded his father as Charles I in 1625.
May was educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge (BA 1612) and at Gray's Inn (admitted 1615), although he never practised as a barrister. He was initially a playwright, but without great success; turning to the classics, he produced well-received translations of Virgil's Georgics (1628) and a selection of Martial's Epigrams (1629), in addition to his best-known work, the translation of Lucan's Pharsalia (1627). He gained the favour of Charles I, and by his command wrote long poems on Henry II (1633) and Edward III (1635); however, he failed to gain either the laureateship or the post of city chronologer on Jonson 's death in 1637 (Davenant was appointed to the former and the latter remained vacant). At about this time he seems to have become a member of the parliamentary faction, and he was styled 'secretary for the parliament' in 1646. He published his History of the Long Parliament in 1647.