Henry Willobie facts for kids

Henry Willobie (born around 1575, died around 1596) was an English writer. He is known for a poem called Willobie His Avisa, published in 1594. This work is interesting because it might have a link to the famous playwright William Shakespeare.

Who Was Henry Willobie?

Henry Willobie was the second son of a gentleman who had the same name and lived in Wiltshire, England. He started studying at St John's College, Oxford in December 1591 when he was about 16 years old. He likely graduated from Exeter College, Oxford with a Bachelor of Arts degree in early 1595.

His book, Willobie his Avisa, was published in 1594. It was a very popular book and was printed many times.

What Happened to Henry Willobie?

It seems Henry Willobie might have died before June 30, 1596. This is because a new version of his book came out that day. It included an "Apologie" (which means an explanation or defense) written by Hadrian Dorrell, who said he was Willobie's friend. Dorrell wrote that Willobie had "now of late gone to God," suggesting he had died.

Dorrell claimed he found the book's manuscript among Willobie's papers. He said Willobie left them with him when he left Oxford to serve the Queen. We don't know much about Hadrian Dorrell, and some people think it might have been a made-up name, perhaps even used by Willobie himself.

Who Really Wrote the Poem?

Some people believe that Henry Willobie might not have been the true author of Willobie his Avisa. For example, a writer named Arthur Acheson thought that Matthew Roydon might have written it. He believed the poem secretly described Shakespeare's connection to a woman named Jane Davenant. Other historians like G. B. Harrison and Christopher Hill also thought Roydon could be the author.

Another idea from M. C. Bradbrook was that many people worked on the poem together. She thought it might have been written by a group of writers connected to Walter Raleigh, known as the School of Night. Matthew Roydon was part of this group.

Willobie's Book and Shakespeare

Willobie his Avisa was approved to be printed on September 3, 1594. This book is very important because it contains the earliest known printed mention of Shakespeare by name, outside of the title pages of his own poems like Venus and Adonis and Lucrece.

What is Willobie his Avisa About?

The poem tells the story of a female character named Avisa. Her name is a special word made from the first letters of a phrase: Amans Uxor Inviolata Semper Amanda. This means "A loving wife, untouched, always to be loved."

Avisa shares her story with different men who are trying to win her over. One of these men is introduced in a part of the book written in prose (like a story, not a poem). This section is signed by "Henrico Willobego Italo Hispalensis," which is a fancy way of saying Henry Willobie.

The Clue About Shakespeare

This prose section has a special part that many believe refers to Shakespeare. It says (in modern English):

"H. W. [Henry Willobie] suddenly felt a strong feeling when he first saw A [Avisa]... He told his secret to his close friend W. S. [William Shakespeare], who had recently felt the same strong feeling and was now better... H. W. wanted to see if things would turn out better for this new person [H.W.] than they did for the old player [W.S.]."

After this, there is a conversation between H. W. and W. S. In this talk, W. S. gives some common advice to H. W., who is feeling sad.

The words "actor" and "player" used with the initials 'W.S.' make many people think that 'W.S.' is indeed William Shakespeare. If this is true, and if the poem is based on real events, it suggests that Willobie had strong feelings for a woman who Shakespeare had also known.

See also

• 1594 in poetry