Spring 2006 Shakespeare Matters page 1 5:3 "Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments..." Spring 2006 Oxford’s Heraldry Explained By Robert Sean Brazil Each fair instalment, coat, and sev’ral crest, With loyal blazon, evermore be blest! Merry Wives of Windsor 5. 5 his article concerns heraldic representations used by Edward Concordia University Executive Vice President Gary Withers announces plans Tde Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, during for the Shakespeare Authorship Studies Center (photo by William Boyle). his own lifetime, and coats-of-arms of his Vere ancestors. More specifically, I will critique and correct Barbara Burris’ article Concordia Proposes Shakespeare in Shakespeare Matters, “Oxford’s New Coat of Arms in 1586” (Summer 2003). I Authorship Studies Center will show that her main assertions and By Howard Schumann interpretation of evidence were faulty, and her conclusions must surely be questioned. iting the importance of truth to civilization, Gary Withers J.D., Executive Vice- Although I demystify the false “royal” aura President of Concordia University announced plans for a new Shakespeare and parentage that she evoked for Oxford, CAuthorship Studies Center at the 10th Annual Shakespeare Authorship Studies the actual facts of the case reveal a story Conference held April 20-23 at Concordia in Portland, Oregon. The Center is to be that is far richer, with many cross- located on the third floor of a proposed $12 million, 70,000 sq. ft. library building, connections to Shakespearean studies. scheduled to start construction by the end of 2007. Dr. Withers declared that the new The central focus of the former article building would “change the face of the campus” and the Studies Center, which will was one particular version of Edward de include a seminar room, a boardroom and two offices, will demonstrate to students that Vere’s coat-of-arms, as it appeared on a we are dedicated to pursuing the truth on the essential questions. “If we have missed one woodcut frontispiece featured in several truth,” he said, “we are devaluing the truth.” books dedicated to him in the 1580s and The presence of Concordia President Charles Schlimpert, Ph.D., Professor Johnnie 1590s.1 Of the many assertions made by Driessner, Ed.D, Director of the Concordia University Foundation, and Dean Charles Burris about this woodcut, let us note the Kunert, of the College of Theology, underscored the support provided by the University. following: In the Conference’s opening remarks, Prof. Driessner said that the new Research Center 1. “The altered Oxford arms are proof will guarantee the following: Authorship studies will have a physical and academic that from 1586 (the year he began receiving home, there will be continuity and perpetual leadership on the subject, financial support his 1,000 pounds pension from the Queen) for research and scholarship will be provided, and mechanisms will be created(including through 1599 de Vere publicly proclaimed a scholarly journal) for the dissemination of the best scholarly research in the area. he was using a different heraldry from the William Leahy, Ph.D., Senior Lecturer and Head of the English Department at Brunel ancient Oxford clan...”2 and “...in 1586 University in Uxbridge, also brought news of major developments in authorship studies (Continued on page 26) (Continued on page 15) page 2 Shakespeare Matters Spring 2006 Letters Duke of Finland, and Lord Edward most his will before rushing off to meet his Maker. likely accompanied them on the errand. One Curiouser and curiouser, he was neither March 5, 2006 can scarcely imagine a more chilling elderly nor in poor health. Margery never Dear Editors: reception committee. Is it any wonder that writes to or visits her “son,” ironic when match with the Duke of Finland was scuttled? one considers, for example, the poignant If there is an ongoing controversy On page 12 we discover that in 1561 and impassioned mother/son bond linking surrounding Oxford and Elizabeth, can one Elizabeth’s progress took her to Hedingham. Aumerle and the Duchess of York in Richard faithfully compose a biography of him which Why? Had she any special interest in the II. ignores it? clever lad of the castle? We then observe that Dudley (Leicester) On page 1 of his book, Mark Anderson Page 13 informs us that Elizabeth was inherits much of Earl John’s landed property. suggests that Oxford was born on April 12, entertained by plays by John Bale. Who Hmmm.... Dudley, of course, was a well- 1550, to John De Vere and Margery. was he? Mr. Anderson does not disclose known student of poisons, like the Queen Evidence is not offered, nor is there any that Bale was Princess Elizabeth’s own in Cymbeline. A month after John’s sudden acknowledgment that this is disputed. It is mentor. It was he who assisted her in her demise Elizabeth orders Edward to reside at customary in biographies to discuss the translation at age 11 of the incest-laden Cecil House. Am I alone in recollecting origins and personalities of the parents of treatise “Glass of the Sinful Soul,” by Hamlet when confronted with this scenario? the subject, but Anderson gives nothing Marguerite of Navarre. Two years later came The filial relations of Oxford and on this score. We are left to wonder if this Elizabeth’s bizarre affair with her uncle/ Elizabeth fairly ooze from the pores of child resembled his putative progenitors stepfather, Thomas Seymour. Anderson’s text. Had he set out to prove de and how. On page 15 we are informed that Elizabeth Vere was her royal changeling he could On page 3 we are told that John appointed Cecil Master of the Court of hardly have done a better job. Yet the abandoned a mistress and “left a woman to Wards. His first charge in that capacity is ... question itself is sedulously avoided. It is whom he was engaged, on the day before Edward de Vere. Is it possible that this was respectfully submitted that no matter which their wedding.” This oddity is neither done not only to enrich Burghley but also side one favors intellectual honesty would discussed nor explained. to bring son and mother closer? You may require recognition of the issue. Margery seems to have been alienated think not, but is the subject worth a passing ab initio. “Countess Margery’s two known glance? Sincerely, references to her son, both found in letters Page 16 lets us know that among the David P. Gontar written to the Secretary of State Sir William puzzling deaths in this era (Prince Arthur, Cecil, appeared at a time when the young Amy Robsart, et al.) is that of Earl John in lord Edward had been moved out of the 1562, who has just enough time to scribble house. These missives give only passing mention of her child and do not request any Subscriptions to Shakespeare Matters are information about his life or well being.” Shakespeare Matters $40 per year ($20 for online issues only). Family Published quarterly by the or institution subscriptions are $45 per year. Oxford is thought to have had “an The Shakespeare Fellowship Patrons of the Fellowship are $75 and up. indifferent mother and a distant, feudal lord Please address correspondence to: of a father.” Isn’t this all a tad strange? On Please send subscription requests to: page 4 we learn that his sister brought a Editorial Offices The Shakespeare Fellowship lawsuit in which she accused Edward of P.O. Box 65335 Baltimore, MD, 21209 PO Box 421 being a bastard. Of course, Elizabeth was Hudson, MA 01749 widely regarded as the bastard offspring of Editor: Anne Boleyn, and it is difficult to forget the Roger Stritmatter, Ph.D. The purpose of the Shakespeare Fellowship is account of Anne Boleyn herself as Henry to promote public awareness and acceptance of Contributing Editors: the authorship of the Shakespeare Canon by VIII’s daughter. Is it really self evident that Mark Anderson, K.C. Ligon, Lynne Kositsky, Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (1550-1604), Edward’s sister was mistaken in her claim? Howard Schumann, Dr. Charles Berney, and further to encourage a high level of scholarly Early on, our hero is packed off to live Charles Boyle, Dr. Felicia Londre, research and publication into all aspects of Alex McNeil, Shakespeare studies, and also into the history and with his tutor. Pourquoi? Didn’t tutors live Elisabeth Sears, culture of the Elizabethan era. on the estates of the family or visit their William Boyle, Richard Whalen, The Society was founded and incorporated in pupils for lessons? What circumstances Hank Whittemore, Dr. Daniel L. Wright 2001 in the State of Massachusetts and is chartered under the membership corporation laws of that would lead the student to board with the Phone (Baltimore, MD): (410) 764-9202 state. It is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit (Fed teacher? email: [email protected] ID 04-3578550). On page 11, we find that in 1559 Elizabeth, All contents copyright ©2006 Dues, grants and contributions are tax-de- ductible to the extent allowed by law. being pursued for marriage, appointed Shakespeare Matters welcomes articles, essays, Thomas Smith, Earl John and Dudley (her commentary, book reviews, letters and news items. lover) to personally greet her suitor, the Contributions should be reasonably concise and, when appropriate, validated by peer review. The views expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Fellowship as a literary and educational organization. Spring 2006 Shakespeare Matters page 3 Mark Anderson replies: Although I do briefly introduce the “Prince Tudor” problem in “Shakespeare” From the Editor By Another Name (469) and refer the reader to books by Elisabeth Sears, Hank Fear and Loathing on the Oxford Trail: Whittemore, William Plumer Fowler and the Ogburns senior, I did not feel a fuller A Cameo at the SAA, a Zero in the discussion was worth delving into in a book that already had too much to cover New York Review of Books with just the basic life story of de Vere as Shake-speare.