Henry Medwall facts for kids

Henry Medwall was a very important English writer from a long time ago. He was the first person we know of who wrote plays in English, not Latin. His most famous play is called Fulgens and Lucrece. It's about a girl who has to pick between two boys. This play was also the first non-religious play known in English. Henry Medwall worked for a powerful leader named Cardinal Morton, who was a top advisor to King Henry VII.

Henry Medwall's Life Story

Henry Medwall was born in 1462. When he was about 13 years old, he went to a famous school called Eton College in 1475. Later, in 1480, he studied at King's College, Cambridge University. He finished his studies there in 1483.

During the time of King Henry VII, Medwall worked as a notary. A notary is someone who can legally witness documents and make them official. He also earned a degree in civil law. This means he studied the laws that deal with people's rights and property.

It is believed that Henry Medwall worked for Cardinal Morton at Lambeth Palace. Cardinal Morton was a very important person. He was the Chancellor, which means he was a chief minister to the King. Medwall also had a place to live in Balinghem, which was in English Calais at the time. We don't have any records of Henry Medwall after the year 1501.

Henry Medwall's Plays

Henry Medwall is known for two main plays. These plays are important because they were written in English. Before him, most serious plays were written in Latin.

Fulgens and Lucrece

One of Medwall's most famous plays is Fulgens and Lucrece. It was likely written around 1497. This play is special because it's the earliest known English play that is not about religion. It's called a secular play. The story is based on an older Latin work by a writer named Buonaccorso da Montemagno. In the play, the main character, Lucrece, has to choose between two people who want to marry her.

Nature

Another play by Henry Medwall that we still have today is called Nature. We don't know exactly when or where this play was printed. We also don't know the name of the printer. However, it was printed by William Rastell. The play Nature was performed for Cardinal Morton during the reign of King Henry VII. A writer named John Bale said that this play was even translated into Latin later on.