The March 2022 provenance mystery features An harborovve for faithfull and trevve subiectes, agaynst the late blowne Blaste, concerninge the Gouernme[n]t of VVemen, wherin be confuted all such reasons as a straunger of latemade in that behalfe, with a briefe exhortation to obedience (A harbour for faithful and true subjects against the late blowne blast concerning the government of women). The book has a false place of publication on the title page, as it was not printed in ‘Strasborowe’ (that is, Strasbourg), but in London by John Day on 26 April, 1559.
Although the author is not listed on the title page, research has shown that this work was written by John Aylmer (1521-1594). Aylmer was Bishop of London but fled to Switzerland during the reign of Mary I. He supposedly escaped into exile by hiding “in a large wine-vat with a secret compartment”. While there he wrote this treatise, in response to John Knox’s attack on the “legitimacy of female rule”, The first blast of the trumpet against the monstruous regiment of women (Geneva, 1558). In this work he attempted “to repair the damage inflicted” by Knox’s work, which argued against the rule of women. Aylmer’s book is not exactly a glowing recommendation for women rulers, however. Instead, he argues that Elizabeth I’s personal qualities are what commend her as a monarch despite the fact (according to Aylmer) that women were weak in nature, soft in courage and unskilled. Aylmer returned to England in March 1559, after the accession of Elizabeth I. According to Patricia-Ann Lee, after his return Aylmer “stayed well away from prouncements on the subject of queenship”.
As can be seen on the title page, there is a clear inscription, but due to damage to it, the name cannot be fully made out. It appears to be ‘Emanuel Dea/metr[?]’. Despite the extent of the damage, it is possible that someone familiar with this name will recognise it, as it is likely that this owner wrote their name on other books. The book is not particularly ‘rare’ in that the English Short Title Catalogue lists at least twenty-five copies of it in various libraries, but it likely did not have a huge print run when it was first published.
The book is currently on display in the library, as part of our Women in Law exhibition.
As ever, if you have any comments on this provenance mystery contact the library at: library@middletemple.org.uk. This book is in need of repair. If you would like to sponsor the cost of conservation for this book, please contact the library. The repairs are estimated at £400.
Renae Satterley
March 2022
Middle Temple Library Blog 