William Fulbecke facts for kids

William Fulbecke (born around 1560, died around 1603) was an English writer who did many things! He was a playwright (someone who writes plays), a historian (someone who studies and writes about the past), and a lawyer. He was also a legal expert who helped create new ideas in international law, which is about how countries deal with each other. He called himself "a master of arts and a student of the laws of England."

About William Fulbecke's Life

William Fulbecke was born in Lincoln. His father, Thomas Fulbeck, was the mayor of the city.

William went to Oxford University, where he studied at different colleges like St Alban Hall, Christ Church, and Gloucester Hall, Oxford. He earned his first degree (Bachelor of Arts) in 1581 and a higher degree (Master of Arts) in 1584.

In 1584, he moved to London. There, he joined Gray's Inn, which is a special place where lawyers train and work. He became a "bencher" there, which means he was a senior and respected member of the legal community.

Fulbecke's Important Writings

William Fulbecke wrote several important books. He was especially interested in law and history.

Helping Law Students: "A Direction..."

In 1600, Fulbecke wrote a book called "A Direction..." This book was like a guide for students who wanted to study law. It gave them tips on how to learn, how to argue cases, and what other books to read.

He also gave advice, like telling students not to study late at night. He said that when your stomach is full, "the abundance of humours is carried to the head, where it sticketh for a time and layeth as it were a lump of lead upon the brain." This was his way of saying that studying on a full stomach at night could make your brain feel heavy and slow!

This book became very popular and has been printed many times, even up to today. It showed that Fulbecke liked the clear rules of written civil law more than the sometimes confusing rules of common law at that time. He knew a lot about famous lawyers from the past, like Bartolus of Sassoferrato, and French legal experts from his own time, like Guillaume Budé and François Hotman.

Starting International Law: "Pandectes"

Fulbecke's book "Pandectes," published in 1602, was one of the very first books ever written about international law. This type of law deals with how different countries and nations interact with each other.

Working on a Play: "The Misfortunes of Arthur"

William Fulbecke also worked with another lawyer, Thomas Hughes, on a play. The play was called The Misfortunes of Arthur. They wrote it for Queen Elizabeth I and it was performed at Gray's Inn on February 28, 1588. The play was written in the style of an ancient Roman tragedy by a writer named Seneca.

Writing About History: Roman Times

Fulbecke also wrote books about Roman history. His 1601 version was very popular. He explained that learning about this history was helpful in three ways:

• First, it showed the problems caused by disagreements and fighting within a country.
• Second, it explained that the main reason for these problems was ambition (wanting power too much).
• Third, it showed how to fix these problems: by being humble, living well, and working together openly with others, instead of secretly plotting against leaders.

Books by William Fulbecke

• A direction, or preparatiue to the study of the lawe: wherein is shewed what things ought to be observed and used of them that are addicted to the study of the law and what on the contrary part ought to be eschued and avoyded., William Fulbecke, London: Printed by Thomas Wight, 1600.
• An Historicall Collection of the Continuall Factions, Tumults and Massacres of the Romans and Italians during the space of one hundred and twentie yeares next before the peaceable empire of Augustus Caesar, William Fulbecke, (1601)
• A Parallele or Conference of the Civill Law, the Canon Law, and the Common Law of this Realme of England. Wherein the agreement and disagreement of these three Lawes . . . are opened and discussed [etc.]., William Fulbecke, Printed by Thomas Wight, London, 1601.
• The Pandectes of the Law of Nations: Contayning Severall Discourses of the Questions, Points, and Matters of Law, Wherein the Nations of the World Doe Consent and Accord. Giving Great Light to the Understanding and Opening of the Principall Objects, Questions, Rules, and Cases of the Civill Law, and Common Law of This Realme of England., William Fulbecke, London: Thomas Wight, 1602
• A booke of Christian ethicks or moral philosophie containing, the true difference and opposition, of the two incompatible qualities, vertue, and voluptuousnesse. Made by William Fulbecke, maister of Artes, and student of the lawes of England., William Fulbeck, At London : Imprinted by Richard Iones, dwelling at the signe of the Rose and Crowne neere Holborne bridge, 1587.
• An abridgement, or rather, a bridge of Roman histories to passe the neerest way from Titus Liuius to Cornelius Tacitus. Under which (in three bookes) as it were through three arches, for the space of sixe score yeeres, the fame and fortune of the Romans ebbs and flowes. By William Fulbecke, London : Printed by T. E[ast] for Richard More, 1608.