Francis Kynaston facts for kids

Sir Francis Kynaston (1587–1642) was an English lawyer, a member of the royal court, a poet, and a politician. He served in the House of Commons, which is like today's Parliament, from 1621 to 1622. He is best known for translating Geoffrey Chaucer's famous poem, Troilus and Criseyde, into Latin verse. This translation was published in 1639. He also translated another poem, The Testament of Cresseid by Robert Henryson, into Latin.

Early Life and Education

Francis Kynaston was born in 1587 at Oteley Park, near Ellesmere in Shropshire, England. He was the oldest son of Sir Edward Kynaston and his wife, Isabel Bagenall. His father held an important local position called High Sheriff of Shropshire in 1599. The High Sheriff was a royal official responsible for keeping peace and enforcing laws in the county.

Kynaston began his studies at Oriel College, Oxford on December 11, 1601. He earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), from St Mary Hall on June 14, 1604. He then completed his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree at Oxford on November 11, 1611. In the same year, he became a lawyer, allowed to practice law at Lincoln's Inn in London. King James I honored him by making him a knight on December 21, 1618.

Political and Court Career

In 1621, Francis Kynaston was chosen to be a Member of Parliament for Shropshire. This meant he represented his home county in the House of Commons, helping to make laws. When King Charles I became king in 1625, Kynaston became an "esquire of the body." This was a special role, meaning he was a personal attendant to the King.

The Musæum Minervæ

Sir Francis Kynaston was known for being at the center of a group of writers and thinkers at the royal court. In 1635, he started a special school or "academy of learning" called the Musæum Minervæ. He received official permission for this academy from the King, along with a special grant of arms and a common seal, which was like an official stamp. King Charles I even gave money from the royal treasury to support the school.

On February 27, 1636, Prince Charles (who would later become King Charles II) and other important people visited the museum. During their visit, a special play called a "masque" was performed. This masque, titled Corona Minervæ, was written by Kynaston himself. Later that year, in July, Sir George Peckham left money to the institution in his will. At this time, Kynaston was living in Covent Garden in London.

Later Life and Legacy

After the Musæum Minervæ, Kynaston spent time working on a new invention called a "hanging furnace." He suggested this furnace to the Lords of the Admiralty, who were in charge of the navy, for use on warships.

Sir Francis Kynaston passed away in 1642 and was buried at Oteley. It seems that his academy, the Musæum Minervæ, closed down after he died. The place where it once stood in London was later known as Kynaston's Alley.

In 1613, Kynaston married Margaret Lee. They had one son, Edward (who lived from about 1613 to 1656), and four daughters: Frances, Rachel, Ann, and Barbara.

Literary Works

Sir Francis Kynaston published his translation of Chaucer's Troilus and Cressida in 1635. This book also included comments on the poem and fifteen short poems written by other Oxford writers, such as William Strode and Dudley Digges.

Kynaston also contributed to a book called Musæ Aulicæ by Arthur Johnston. He translated Johnston's Latin poems into English verse for this book, which was published in London in 1635. In 1642, Kynaston published his own heroic romance poem called Leoline and Sydanis. This poem told stories from the history of Wales and Anglesey. It was published along with a collection of poems called Cynthiades: Sonnets to his Mistresse, which Kynaston wrote to a woman he called Cynthia.