William L'Isle facts for kids

William L'Isle (also known as Lisle) (1569–1637) was an English expert on old things and a scholar who studied Anglo-Saxon literature. He helped people learn about the early history and language of England.

Life Story of William L'Isle

William L'Isle was born in 1569. He was one of five sons of Edmond Lisle from Tandridge, Surrey. His family might have gotten their name from the Isle of Ely. His mother was Dorothy Rudston. William was also related to Sir Henry Spelman, another famous expert on old things.

Education and Early Career

William L'Isle went to Eton College, a well-known school. In 1584, he started studying at King's College, Cambridge. He earned his first degree (B.A.) in 1589 and a master's degree (M.A.) in 1592. He became a Fellow at his college, which meant he was a senior member of the university.

After 1608, he left his fellowship to take care of an estate he inherited in Wilbraham, his family's home area.

Life in Cambridge

Later, William L'Isle worked for King James I. He spent most of his time back in Cambridge. He was involved in a disagreement at King's College in 1608. He wrote to the chancellor, asking not to be punished, and it seems no action was taken against him.

William L'Isle became ill in Chesterton and was moved to Wilbraham, where he passed away in September 1637. He was buried at Walmer, where a monument was put up to remember him and his younger brother, Edmund.

William L'Isle's Works and Studies

L'Isle was a very important person in starting the study of Anglo-Saxon language and history. He was one of the first to truly focus on it. He even owned a special old book called the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (the Peterborough Chronicle), where he wrote notes.

Studying Old English Texts

William L'Isle was interested in what the early English church believed. This led him to study old texts. In 1623, he printed and published a book called ‘Treatise on the Old and New Testament’ by Ælfric Grammaticus. He also included an English translation so more people could read it.

His book also had other writings by Ælfric and a second edition of an older text called ‘A Testimonie of Antiquitie.’ This text talked about the Sacrament, an important religious practice. The book ended with the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and Ten Commandments in Anglo-Saxon, with translations to help beginners learn the language.

A second edition of this "Saxon Treatise" came out in 1638, after he died. He had planned to publish more Anglo-Saxon works, like Ælfric's translations of parts of the Bible and the Saxon-English Psalter.

His Poetry and Translations

L'Isle also wrote some poetry. In 1598, he translated parts of a famous French poem called Du Bartas's Weeks. In 1625, he published an even larger translation of Du Bartas, which was designed to help people learn either English or French.

He also translated parts of Virgil's Eclogues into English in 1628. Some of these translations were done as early as 1600 but weren't published until later. In 1631, he created a rhymed version of Heliodorus' Aethiopica, an ancient Greek novel. He also wrote a poem for the tomb of his cousin, William Benson.