University of Virginia Library

New Year's Day Gift Books in the Sixteenth Century
by
Edwin Haviland Miller

About 1520, in dedicating a translation of Pico della Mirandola to his "beloued sister in crist Joyeuce Leigh," Sir Thomas More observed: "It is and of longe time hath bene my well beloued sister a custome in the begynnyng of the new yere frendes to sende betwene presentis or yestis as the witnesses of their loue and frendsship and also signifyenge that they desyre eche to other that yere a gode contynuance and prosperous ende of

that lukky bigynnyng."[1] When More wrote, the practice of giving books at New Year's time was not new. His friend Erasmus had presented at least three translations to patrons on these occasions. Probably in the preceding century manuscripts had been sent as gifts. At any rate in the sixteenth century it was not uncommon for authors to present their books to friends or patrons at this season.

Amateurs like the author of The Dyetary of ghostly helthe (1520) and Walter Bailey, who in three successive years printed at his own expense little tracts on health as New Year's gifts, chose this method of bestowing greetings and presents upon their intimates.[2] Not all writers, however, were without ulterior motives. George Gascoigne, who wanted the unbending Elizabeth to bend slightly, offered her manuscripts in 1576 and 1577.[3] Though Gascoigne concealed his designs, as courtiers were wont to do, Thomas Churchyard, perhaps the most industrious and (almost) the most pedestrian of Elizabethan hacks, forthrightly stated his materialistic motivation:

But, as he later admitted with the candor that makes him, despite his wearying prose and poetry, a likeable person, "nothyng did retourne to me, / That I could either feele or se."[4]

Although I have examined many books written by Elizabethan hacks like Churchyard, evidently few followed his example. This is perhaps surprising since Elizabethan professionals like ferrets seized opportunities to present volumes to reluctant patrons. If, on the other hand, Churchyard's failure to profit by New Year's gift books was typical, it is understandable that his fellow authors exploited occasions which promised more than the year-end festive season.[5] Of the important writers of the century few apparently exploited the holiday, unless Spenser intended Daphnaïda as a present to the Marquise of Northampton.[6] In the preface to The Scholemaster Roger Ascham wrote: "I thought to praepare some little treatise for a New yeares gift that Christmas," but "the worke rose dailie higher and wider, than I thought it would at the beginninge."[7]

I have been able to identify thirty-seven books and twelve manuscripts intended as New Year's greetings. Unquestionably the practice was more widespread than these numbers indicate; otherwise the ridicule of a character in The Return from Parnassus is pointless: "I had almoste forgotten the cheife pointe I cald thee out for: new years day approcheth, and wheras other gallants bestowe Jewells upon there Mistrisses (as I haue done whilome), I now count it base to do as the common people doe; I will bestow upon them the precious stons of my witt, a diamonde of Inuention, that shall be aboue all value & esteeme."[8]

The following compilation of New Year's Day gift books is far from complete, and can only be considered a trial list. However, it is the first list that includes books written during the reign of Elizabeth I; Garrod and Bennett stopped at 1557. Despite its inadequacies, it should be useful to students of sixteenth-century printing and authorship, since it sheds light on an aspect of Tudor publication that was until recently neglected. Perhaps this checklist will lead to a greater interest in the subject and to a much larger number of citations.

The entries include the following information in this order: the date, the author and title of the work, the entry number in A Short-Title Catalogue, the dedicatee, a brief quotation to establish it as a gift book or manuscript,[9] and the source of information in secondary works.

Books

• 1520. The Dyetary of ghostly helthe. STC 6833. Presented to his friends. "In the begynnyge of this newe yere / my good systers whan I consyder and se many frendes gyue tokens of custome one to another . . . dyuers of you haue gyuen tokens vnto me. Wherfore hauynge nothynge redy to gyue vnto you agayne / I purpose in my mynde to prepare one token for you all / to profyte eche of you." Garrod, p. 12; Bennett, p. 49.
• C. 1520. Sir Thomas More, Here is conteyned the lyfe of Johan Picus Erle of Myrandula. STC 19898 and 19898a. To his "beloued sister in crist Joyeuce Leigh." See quotation in text.
• 1528. Thomas Wyatt, translator, Tho. wyatis translatyon of Plutarckes boke / of the Quyete of mynde. STC 20059+. Queen Catherine. "Pleseth than your hyghnesse to pardone thouerboldnesse of your moost humble slaue / where he presenteth you / for the good lucke of this newe yere with this his symple labour."
• 1539. Thomas Paynell, translator, A Sermon of S. Cyprian. STC 6156. Master Antony Deny, Esquire. "I ofte thynke what I haue, or howe I a poore man myght doo you any pleasure, wherefore suche thynge as I maye gyue, with my entier hartes loue I sende you. And as this my book goeth on prayer, soo pray I, God sende you abundaunce of all welthe and good fortune this newe yere."
• 1542. Thomas Becon, The Christmasse Banckette.[10] STC 1713. Sir Thomas Neville. "I . . . do here humbly offer to your right honorable maystershypp this my Christmasse bancket for a new yeares gyft."
• 1543. John Hales, translator, The preceptes of the excellent clerke & graue philosopher Plutarche for the preseruacion of good Healthe. STC 20062. Thomas Audley, Baron of Walden. "The custome to geue newe yeres giftes grounded vpon beneuolence, confirmed by the consent of people, calleth and willeth, yea rather commaundeth me (right honorable lorde) at this tyme to rendre vnto your honour my duetie." Bennett, p. 50, n.
• 1543. Thomas Becon, A new yeares gyfte more precious than golde, worthy to be embrased no lesse ioyfully than thankfully of euery true cristen man. STC 1738. Thomas Roydon. "I thought that for asmuch as I was not able accordyng to my wyll to gyue such new yeares gyftes, as commonly be sent from one to another. Yet I would prepare somethyng, wherby I might shewe my selfe to wysh well vnto all men. . . . I haue therfore prouided a newe yeres gyfte, not of corruptible gold or syluer, but of the moost sacred scriptures." Bennett, pp. 49-50.
• 1547. Anthony Cope, A godly meditacion upon .xx. select and chosen Psalmes of the Prophet Dauid. STC 5717. Queen Catherine. "The vse of gyuyng gyftes by men to theyr frendes the fyrst day of the newe yere (mooste noble Ladie and vertuous Quene) hath of longe time continewed within

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  thys Realme of Englande, wyth an opinion that the luckie beginning is a good token of lyke prosperous successe duryng the rest of the yere." Garrod, p. 12; Bennett, pp. 48-49.
• 1549. Robert Crowley, A new yeres gyfte, wherein is taught the knowledge of our selfe and the feare of God. STC 6087. Bennett, pp. 49-50.
• [1551?]. Henry Wingfield, A compendious treatise conteynynge preceptes necessary to the preseruacion of healthe. STC 25852. Bennett, p. 50 n.
• [1553-1558]. Thomas Churchyard, A New-yeares gift to all England. In Churchyards Challenge (1593), STC 5220, sig. *1v, Churchyard refers to this apparently lost work written "in Queene Maries raigne . . . which booke treated of rebellion."
• 1554. William Prat, The Discription of the Contrey of Aphrique. STC 191. Edward Courtenay, Earl of Devonshire. "To conclude in token of a Newyeres gyft I do here exhibit vnto your Lordship this discription of Aphrique. A gyft I graunt not so gret as is owed, nor so good as is wyshed." Bennett, p. 50, n.
• 1565. Arthur Golding, translator, The Fyrst Fower Bookes of P. Ouidius Nasos worke, intituled Metamorphosis. STC 18955. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. "Thassured hope and confidence wherof, (furthered by the priuiledge of the new yeere, which of an auncient and laudable custome, licenceth men too testifye their good willes, not only to their friendes and acquaintance, but also too their betters and superiours, by presentes though neuer so simple,) giueth me boldnesse too dedicate this my maymed and vnperfect translation . . . vnto your honor, and too offer it vnto you for a poore Neweyeres gift."
• 1569. A new yeres gift, or an Heauenly Acte of Parliament: Concerning how euery true Christian should lyue: made and enacted, by our Soueraigne Lorde GOD, and all the whole Clergie in Heauen consentinge to the same . . . . 1569. STC 18489.[11]
• 1570. Edmund Elviden, A Neweyeres gift to the Rebellious persons in the North partes of England. STC 7625.
  . . . for to sue
  Of God for pardon, that as tyme
  Hath made the yere a newe:
  So lykewise may you be renewde
  In sprite, that you may thynke
  Your last yeres actes so vnsauery, as
  For stalenes they do stynke.
  
• [1573?]. Edward Dering, Certaine Godly and Verie comfortable letters. "An Epistle of M. Ed. Deringe, before his 24 Lecture on the Hebrues, which he preached the 6. of December, 1572. And gaue for a newe yeres gifte to the godlie in London & elsewhere." "To his verie louing friend Maister M. F."

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  [The 1573 edition of this work is apparently not extant; the quotations are from the 1597? printing, STC 6683.]
• 1574. Arthur Golding, translator, Sermons of Master Iohn Caluin, upon the Booke of IOB. STC 4444. Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. "Thus beseeching God too graunt your L. to see many happie and prosperouse newyeeres vpon this Realme. . . . Written the last of December. 1573."
• 1576. George Baker, The new Iewell of Health. STC 11798. Lady Anne, Countess of Oxford. "I offer this Booke, as a due testimonie of my seruiceable heart, and as some fruites of my poore paynfull studie and practise, . . . so as euery lyne, in respect of my loyaltie, might supply a newe Iewell for your Newe yeares gift, albeit, you haue no neede of Golde and Iewels." [The 1599 edition, STC 11799, retains the same phrasing but is dedicated to Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford.]
• 1576. The third new yeeres gift and the second Protest, and the first proclamation of outlawry for this yeer 1576. against all the learned Papists in England, Antwerp, or els where the Papists bookes are printed and sent in to England. STC 18490.[12]
• 1577. Simon Robson, translator, A New Yeeres Gift. The Covrte of Ciuill Courtesie. STC 21134.8. Dedicated by printer Richard Jones to "the flourishinge Youthes, and Courteous younge Gentlemen of England." "I haue beene so bolde as to present your estate, in token and wish of an happie new yeere, with these the first fruites of my poore Presse, finished since the cumming in of the same." [Reprinted with the same preliminary material in 1582 and 1591, STC 21135 and 21136.]
• 1579. Thomas Churchyard, The Miserie of Flaunders, Calamitie of Fraunce, Misfortune of Portugall, Vnquietnes of Irelande, Troubles of Scotlande: And the blessed State of Englande. STC 5243. Queen Elizabeth. ". . . as knoweth our liuyng Lorde, who sende your Maiestie many good and gracious newe yeres, with a blessed and prosperous olde raigne ouer vs."
• 1579. Haly Heron, A Newe Discourse of Morall Philosophie, Entituled, The Kayes of Counsaile. STC 13228. John Kay. "Take therefore these instructions of vertue for a newe yeares gift at my handes."
• 1580. Thomas Churchyard, A light bondell of liuly discourses called Churchyardes Charge, presented as a Newe yeres gifte to the . . . Earle of Surrie. STC 5240. "To the right honourable my especiall good Lorde the Erle of Surrey: Thomas Churchyarde wisheth many happie Newe yeres, Fortunate daies and weekes, encrease of honour and vertue, with moste assured felicitie."
• 1580. Robert Hitchcock, A Pollitique Platt for the honour of the Prince, the greate profite of the publique state. . . . Written for an Newyeres gift to Englande, and the inhabitantes thereof. STC 13531.

Shake now the Tree and taste the fruite, Of this his New yeres gifte . . .

• 1583. Richard Harvey, An Astrological Discourse upon the great and notable Coniunction of the two superiour Planets, SATVRNE & IVPITER, which shall happen the 28. day of April, 1583. STC 12910. John Aylmer, Bishop of London. "So it may now like your Lordshippe, to admit of the same for the best New yeares gift, that such a scholler on such a suddaine can bestow. . . . I will here most humbly take my leaue, committing your Lordship to the protection of God, who giue you many prosperous Newyeares, and long preserue you, to his owne glorie, and the benefit of his Church."[13]
• 1586. Walter Bailey, A briefe treatise touching the preseruation of the eiesight. STC 1193. Presented to and personally inscribed ordinarily to friends. See F. P. Wilson, "Some Notes on Authors and Patrons in Tudor and Stuart Times," in John Quincy Adams Memorial Studies (1948), p. 559.
• 1587. William Kempe, A Dutiful Invective, Against the moste haynous Waters in the Countie of Warwicke. STC 1191. Presented to and personally inscribed ordinarily to various friends. ". . . accept as a testimonie of my vnfained good will this little treatise of medicinall waters, which I present vnto you at this time, inuited by the common vsage of all men, in token of a good and prosperous new yeere."
• 1587. William Kempe, A Dutiful Invective, Against them moste haynous Treasons of Ballard and Babington. STC 14925. George Barne, Lord Mayor of London. Titlepage: "For a Newyeares gifte to all loyall English subiects."
• 1588. Walter Bailey, A Short Discourse of the three kindes of Peppers in common use, and certaine special medicines made of the same, tending to the preseruation of health. STC 1199. Presented to Sir Thomas Egerton. "As in former yeeres at this season I haue been alwaies careful to shew my affection towards yow by offering som present, appertaining to the preseruation of your health: so at this time, in token of a good and prosperous newe yeere, (God grant you many) I haue emboldened my selfe to exhibite unto yow in our vulger toong, this short discourse of the three kindes of Peppers." [Italicized words are in script; the quotation is from the copy in the Huntington Library.]
• 1588. Anthony Munday, Palmerin d'Oliva, Part I. STC 19157. Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. ". . . and seeing the time affords me such opportunitie, that with ending of the firste parte, the olde year is expired: I present it my noble lord as your servants New Yeeres gift, and withal deliver my most affectionate dutie, evermore ready at your Honour's commandments." See Gerald R. Hayes, "Anthony Munday's Romances of Chivalry," The Library, 4th series, VI (1925-26), 77.

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• 1589. Thomas Blundeville, A Briefe Description of Vniuersal Mappes and Cardes. STC 3145. Francis Wyndham, judge of the Court of Common Pleas. "Good Sir, vouchsafe to receiue this poore litle Pamphlet, partlie as in lieu of a richer Newyeares gift, and partlie as a token of my thankefull minde."
• 1590. Augustine Ryther, engraver, A Discourse concerninge the Spanish fleete. STC 24481. Charles Howard, Lord Admiral. ". . . the time it selfe doth mooue to that which I haue done, which being the beginning of the new yeer, calleth for by custome a NEW YEERES GIFT." [Ryther in the dedication acknowledged that this translation of an Italian work by Petrucio Ulbaldini was "translated and printed at my cost." See also Arthur M. Hind, Engraving in England in the Sixteenth & Seventeenth Centuries (1952), 24-25, 142-143.]
• 1593. Thomas Churchyard, A Pleasant conceite penned in verse. STC
• 5248. Queen Elizabeth. "Which pleasant conceite I haue presumed (this Newe-yeeres day) to present to your Maiestie, in signe and token that your gracious goodnesse towardes me oftentimes (and cheefely now for my pencyon) shal neuer goe out of my remembrance."
• 1596. Thomas Churchyard, A pleasant Discourse of Court and Wars. STC
• 5249. Sir George Carey. "From my chamber in Richmond, this new yeeres day. 1596."
• 1597. William Tooker, Charisma sive Donum Sanatonis. Queen Elizabeth. STC 24117-24118. "Prid. Id. Ianuar. Anno/Salutis 1597."
• 1598. Robert Tofte, translator, Orlando Inamorato. The three first Bookes of that famous Noble Gentleman and learned Poet, Mathew Maria Boiardo. STC 3216. Lady Margarite Morgan. "It is a Nouell Matter, & therefore I sent it vnto you as a New-yeers gift these Hollidays."[14]
• 1603. William Lisle, Nothing for a New-yeares gift. STC 15706. Sir William Hyde.
  You that to bountie haue your soules inclinde,
  (Which shewes the world your world of worthines)
  Nothing I send you for a Newyeares gift. . .[15]
  

Manuscripts[16]

• 1511. John Skelton, Speculum. King Henry VIII. See H. L. R. Edwards, Skelton: The Life and Times of an Early Tudor Poet (1949), p. 129.
• 1545. Princess Elizabeth, translator, The Mirror, or Glass, of the Sinful Soul. Queen Catherine. Sent with letter dated 31 December 1544: "Praying God Almighty, the Maker and Creator of all things, to grant unto your Highness the same New Year's day, a lucky and a prosperous year, with prosperous issue, and continuance of many years in good health and continual joy, and all to His honour, praise, and glory." See The Letters

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  of Queen Elizabeth, ed. G. B. Harrison (1935), pp. 5-7. [The manuscript was published in 1548 with the title A Godly Medytacyon of the christen sowle, STC 17320.]
• 1546. John Leland, The laboryouse Iourney & serche of Johan Leylande, for Englandes Antiquitees, geuen of hym as a newe yeares gyfte to Kynge Henry the viii. See The Itinerary of John Leland, ed. Lucy Toulmin Smith (1907), I, xxxvii. [The work was published in 1549, STC 15445.]
• 1551. Martin Bucer, De regno Christi. Edward VI. See E. K. Chambers, The Elizabethan Stage (1923), I, 239-240, and IV, 188-190. [The manuscript was translated as A Treatise, How by the Worde of God, Christian mens Almose ought to Be distributed, 1557?, STC 3965.]
• 1571. Thomas Bedingfield, translator, Cardanus' Comfort. Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford. See B. M. Ward, The Seventeenth Earl of Oxford (1928), pp. 86-87. [The manuscript was published "by commaundement of the right honourable the Earle of Oxenford" in 1573, STC 4607.]
• 1576. George Gascoigne, The Tale of Hermetes, the Heremyte. Queen Elizabeth. ". . . righte humbly to kysse the delycacy of yor imperiall handes beseeching thallmighty to blesse you wth many prosperous newe yeres, and to enable me for yor service according to my desiers this first of January 1576 and ever." Garrod, p. 11; The Complete Works of George Gascoigne (1910), II, 478.
• 1577. George Gascoigne, The Grief of Joye. Queen Elizabeth. "I right humbly beseeche youre heighnes to accept this Nifle for a newyeres gyfte. . . . this first of January, 1577 and ever." Garrod, p. 11; The Complete Works, II, 515.
• 1577. Gabriel Harvey, Ciceronianus. William Lewin, Doctor of Law. "Mitto ego ad te, ornatissime Leuine, strenam quam?" See the translation of Harold S. Wilson and Clarence A. Forbes, University of Nebraska Studies (November 1945), p. 36.
• [1580?]. Gabriel Harvey, "A New Yeeres Gift to my old Friend Master George Bilchaunger." See Elizabethan Critical Essays, ed. G. Gregory Smith (1904), I, 104-105.
• [C. 1590]. William Smith, A New-yeares Guifte; made upon certen Flowers. See John Buxton, Sir Philip Sidney and the English Renaissance (1954), pp. 236-237.
• 1594. Thomas Moffett, Nobilis: sive Vitae Mortisque Sydniadis. William Herbert. "Wiltoniae Kal. Ianuarij." See the edition of Virgil B. Heltzel and Hoyt H. Hudson (1940).
• 1598. Robert Tofte, A Discourse of the fiue laste Popes of Rome and of the firste Originall and begininge of that famous Pilgrimage of our Ladie of Loreto. Richard Bancroft, Bishop of London. "I presume to bringe this my Booke vnto yow this Christmas . . . So I present this pece of Woorke these short Holydayes vnto your Lordshipp. . . . ffrom my Lodginge in Holbourne this first of Januarie 1598." See Franklin B. Williams, Jr., "Robert Tofte," RES, XIII (1937), 411-412.

notes