John Warburton (1682–1759) was an

antiquarian An antiquarian or antiquary () is an fan (person), aficionado or student of antiquities or things of the past. More specifically, the term is used for those who study history with particular attention to ancient artifact (archaeology), artifac ...

cartographer Cartography (; from grc, χάρτης , "papyrus, sheet of paper, map"; and , "write") is the study and practice of making and using maps. Combining science, aesthetics and technique, cartography builds on the premise that reality (or an im ...

, and Somerset Herald of Arms in Ordinary at the

College of Arms The College of Arms, or Heralds' College, is a royal corporation consisting of professional Officer of Arms, officers of arms, with jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the ...

in the early 18th century.

Life

He was the son of Benjamin and Mary Warburton. In early life John was an exciseman and then a supervisor, being stationed in 1718–19 at

Bedale Bedale ( ) is a market town and civil parish in the district of Hambleton, North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, it is north of Leeds, south-west of Middlesbrough and south-west of the county town of ...

in Yorkshire. He was admitted F.R.S. in March 1719, but was ejected on 9 June 1757 for nonpayment of his subscription. His election as F.S.A. took place on 13 January 1720, but he ceased to be a member before January 1754. On 18 June 1720 he was appointed to the office of

Somerset Herald Somerset Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. In the year 1448 Somerset Herald is known to have served the Duke of Somerset, but by the time of the coronation of King Henry VII in 1485 his successor a ...

in the

. "Warburton, John" entry in ''Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 59'' Warburton's first wife was Dorothy, but they separated in 1716. He later married a widow with children, and is said to have married her son, when a minor, to one of his daughters. By his second wife he had a son called John. Warburton died at his apartments in the

, London, his usual place of residence, on 11 May 1759, and was buried in the south aisle of

St Benet Paul's Wharf The Church of St Benet Paul's Wharf is a Welsh Anglican church in the City of London. Since 1556, it has also been the official church of the College of Arms in which many officers of arms have been buried. In 1666 it was destroyed in the Great F ...

, London.

Works

Warburton published in 1716 from actual survey a map of Northumberland in four sheets, and during the next few years brought out similar maps of Yorkshire, Middlesex, Essex, and Hertfordshire. He brought out in 1749 a "Map of Middlesex" in two sheets of imperial atlas, which came under the censure of John Anstis the Younger. Warburton had given on the border of this map five hundred engraved arms, and the earl marshal, supposing many of them to be fictitious, ordered that no copies should be sold until the right to wear them had been proved. Warburton endeavoured to vindicate himself in ''London and Middlesex illustrated by Names, Residence, Genealogy, and Coat-armour of the Nobility, Merchants, &c.'' (1749). In 1753 he published ''Vallum Romanum, or the History and Antiquities of the Roman Wall in Cumberland and Northumberland,'' the survey and plan of which were made by him in 1715. William Hutton applauded him as "the judicious Warburton, whom I regard for his veracity".William Hutton, ''Roman Wall'', ed. 1813, pref. p. xxvii John Nichols printed in 1779 in two volumes from the collections of Warburton and Ducarel ''Some Account of the Alien Priories,'' but the compilers' names were not mentioned. This omission was rectified in many copies issued in 1786 with a new title-page.

Collections

He was an avid collector of old book and manuscripts, but often careless. After much drinking and attempting to "muddle"

Humfrey Wanley Humfrey Wanley (21 March 1672 – 6 July 1726) was an English librarian, palaeographer and scholar of Old English, employed by manuscript collectors such as Robert and Edward Harley. He was the first keeper of the Harleian Library, now the Har ...

, he sold in July 1720 to the Earl of Oxford many valuable manuscripts on Wanley's own terms. On another occasion, he left a pile of drama manuscripts in the kitchen. When he came looking for them a year later, nearly all were gone. His cook, Betsy Baker, had used over fifty manuscripts as scrap paper while cooking—either for lighting fires or for lining the bottoms of pie pans while baking pies. Notwithstanding his carelessness, he left behind him a huge collection of books, manuscripts, and prints, which were sold by auction in 1766. Many of his topographical manuscripts are in the Lansdowne collection at the

British Museum The British Museum is a public museum dedicated to human history, art and culture located in the Bloomsbury area of London. Its permanent collection of eight million works is among the largest and most comprehensive in existence. It docum ...

A complete list of the destroyed play manuscripts

*''Alexias, or The Chaste Gallant,'' a tragedy by

Philip Massinger Philip Massinger (1583 – 17 March 1640) was an English dramatist. His finely plotted plays, including '' A New Way to Pay Old Debts'', ''The City Madam'', and ''The Roman Actor'', are noted for their satire and realism, and their polit ...

; it was licensed for performance by the King's Men on 25 September 1639. *''Antonio and Vallia,'' attributed to

; it's possible this was identical to or a revision of a play of the same name performed by

Philip Henslowe Philip Henslowe (c. 1550 – 6 January 1616) was an Elizabethan theatrical entrepreneur and impresario. Henslowe's modern reputation rests on the survival of his diary, a primary source for information about the theatrical world of Renaissance ...

's company in 1595. *''Beauty in a Trance,'' by

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

; it was performed by the King's Men on 28 November 1630. *''

Believe as You List ''Believe as You List'' is a Caroline era tragedy by Philip Massinger, famous as a case of theatrical censorship. Censorship The play originally dealt with the legend that Sebastian of Portugal had survived the battle of Alcácer Quibir, and the ...

,'' a comedy by

. It was licensed for performance by the King's Men on 6 May 1631, four months after the

Master of the Revels The Master of the Revels was the holder of a position within the English, and later the British, royal household, heading the "Revels Office" or "Office of the Revels". The Master of the Revels was an executive officer under the Lord Chamberlain. ...

refused to approve it because of "dangerous matter" in it about "the deposing of Sebastian king of Portugal by Philip the econd,and there being a peace sworn twixt the kings of England and Spain." *''The City Shuffler,'' no author named, or part specified; records indicate that ''The City Shuffler, part 2'' was licensed for performance by the

Salisbury Court Salisbury Square is a square in London EC4. History The square is named after Salisbury Court, by and on part of the land, today the name of the narrow street which leads the square from the north. Salisbury Court was the medieval London house ...

company in October 1633 after a Mr. Sewster removed his objections to it, presumably because it had once contained some kind of personal satire. *''The Crafty Merchant,'' attributed to

Shackerley Marmion Shackerley Marmion (January 1603 – 1639), also Shakerley, Shakerly, Schackerley, Marmyon, Marmyun, or Mermion, was an early 17th-century dramatist, often classed among the Sons of Ben, the followers of Ben Jonson who continued his style of ...

; it was licensed for performance by the

Lady Elizabeth's Men The Lady Elizabeth's Men, or Princess Elizabeth's Men, was a company of actors in Jacobean London, formed under the patronage of King James I's daughter Princess Elizabeth. From 1618 on, the company was called The Queen of Bohemia's Men, afte ...

at the

Red Bull Theatre The Red Bull was an inn-yard conversion erected in Clerkenwell, London operating in the 17th century. For more than four decades, it entertained audiences drawn primarily from the City and its suburbs, developing a reputation over the years for ...

on 12 September 1623, although that document ascribes the authorship to William Bonen. *''The Duchess of Fernandina,'' a tragedy by

Henry Glapthorne Henry Glapthorne (baptised, 28 July 1610 – c. 1643) was an English dramatist and poet, baptized in Cambridgeshire, the son of Thomas Glapthorne and Faith ''née'' Hatcliff. His father was a bailiff of Lady Hatton, the wife of Sir Edward Cok ...

. *''Duke Humphrey,'' attributed to

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's nation ...

. *''The Fair Favorite,'' by

William Davenant Sir William Davenant (baptised 3 March 1606 – 7 April 1668), also spelled D'Avenant, was an English poet and playwright. Along with Thomas Killigrew, Davenant was one of the rare figures in English Renaissance theatre whose career spanned b ...

. It was licensed for performance on 17 November 1638, and belonged to the King's Men. *''The Fairy Queen,'' no author given. *''Fast and Welcome,'' a comedy by

. *''The Fatal Love,'' no author given; a 1660

Stationers' Register The Stationers' Register was a record book maintained by the Stationers' Company of London. The company is a trade guild given a royal charter in 1557 to regulate the various professions associated with the publishing industry, including print ...

entry claims the play was "a French tragedy" (meaning set in France) written by

George Chapman George Chapman (Hitchin, Hertfordshire, – London, 12 May 1634) was an English dramatist, translator and poet. He was a classical scholar whose work shows the influence of Stoicism. Chapman has been speculated to be the Rival Poet of Shak ...

. *''The Flying Voice,'' by

Ralph Wood The Wood family was an English family of Staffordshire potters. Among its members were Ralph Wood I (1715–1772), the "miller of Burslem," his son Ralph Wood II (1748–1795), and his grandson Ralph Wood III (1774–1801). Ralph I was the brot ...

. *''The Forced Lady,'' a tragedy by

; a record dated 7 August 1641 identifies it as a King's Men play. *''The Governor,'' a tragedy by Sir

Cornelius Formido Cornelius may refer to: People * Cornelius (name), Roman family name and a masculine given name * Pope Cornelius, pope from AD 251 to 253 * St. Cornelius (disambiguation), multiple saints * Cornelius (musician), stage name of Keigo Oyamada * Metr ...

. It was acted by the King's Men at court on 17 February 1637. *''The Great Man,'' a tragedy, no author given. *''Henry I,'' attributed to

and

Robert Davenport Robert Davenport may refer to: * Robert Davenport (dramatist) (fl. 1623–1639), English dramatist * Robert Davenport (Australian politician) (1816–1896), pioneer and politician in the Colony of South Australia * Robert Davenport (cricketer) (185 ...

; it was licensed for performance by the King's Men on 10 April 1624, but in that record assigned only to Davenport. *''The History of Job,'' by Robert Greene. *''The Honorable Loves,'' a comedy by

William Rowley William Rowley (c. 1585 – February 1626) was an English Jacobean dramatist, best known for works written in collaboration with more successful writers. His date of birth is estimated to have been c. 1585; he was buried on 11 February 1626 in ...

. *'' The Honor of Women,'' a comedy by

; it was licensed for performance on 6 May 1628. *''An Ill Beginning Has a Good End'' is the 1660 Stationers' Register reading for a play Warburton listed as ''A Good Beginning May Have a Good End''; both records ascribe it to

. It is presumed to be the same as ''A Bad Beginning Makes a Good Ending'', performed by the King's Men at court during the winter of 1612–13. *''The Inconstant Lady,'' a play by Arthur Wilson (Warburton mistakenly gives the first name as "William"); it was presented at court by the King's Men on 30 September 1630. *''An Interlude,'' by Ralph Wood, which Warburton said was "worth nothing;" "interlude" may have been a description rather than the title. *''Jocondo and Astolfo,'' a comedy by Thomas Dekker. *''The Judge,'' a comedy by

; it was licensed for performance by the King's Men on 6 June 1627. *''The King of Swedeland,'' no author given; a 1660 Stationers Register entry identified the king as Gustavus and the play's author as Thomas Dekker. *''The London Merchant,'' a comedy by

. *''Love Hath Found His Eyes,'' by Thomas Jordan. *''The Lovers of Ludgate,'' no author given. *''The Maiden's Holiday,'' attributed to

Christopher Marlowe Christopher Marlowe, also known as Kit Marlowe (; baptised 26 February 156430 May 1593), was an English playwright, poet and translator of the Elizabethan era. Marlowe is among the most famous of the Elizabethan playwrights. Based upon the ...

; a 1654 entry in the Stationers' Register says it was a collaboration between Marlowe and John Day. *''A Mask,'' attributed to "R. Govell," otherwise unknown; possibly the same as ''The Mask'', which was licensed for performance by the Palsgrave's Company on 3 November 1624, with no author listed. Records show that

Richard Gunnell Richard Gunnell (fl. 1613 – 1634) was an actor, playwright, and theatre manager in Jacobean and Caroline era London. He is best remembered for his role in the founding of the Salisbury Court Theatre. Actor and playwright Nothing is known of Gu ...

was writing for the company at the time, and G.E. Bentley notes that "'R. Govell' would be an easy misreading of 'R. Gonell' or 'R. Gunell'; no other early-seventeenth century dramatist has a name so similar." *''Minerva's Sacrifice,'' a play by

; it was licensed for performance by the King's Men on 3 November 1629. *''The Noble Choice,'' a tragicomedy by

. *''The Noble Trial,'' a tragedy by

; the 1660 Stationers Register entry describes it as a tragicomedy. *''The Nobleman,'' a tragicomedy by

Cyril Tourneur Cyril Tourneur (; died 28 February 1626) was an English soldier, diplomat and dramatist who wrote ''The Atheist's Tragedy'' (published 1611); another (and better-known) play, ''The Revenger's Tragedy'' (1607), formerly ascribed to him, is now more ...

. It was performed by the King's Men at court on 23 February 1612. *''The Nonesuch,'' a comedy by

. *''Nothing Impossible to Love,'' a tragicomedy by Sir Robert Le Grys. *''Orpheus,'' a comedy, no author given. *''

The Parliament of Love ''The Parliament of Love'' is a late Jacobean era stage play, a comedy written by Philip Massinger. The play was never printed in the seventeenth century, and survived only in a defective manuscript – making it arguably the most problematical ...

,'' attributed to

; it was licensed for performance on 3 November 1624, but there ascribed to

. The play is still extant through another source, and Massinger's sole authorship is generally accepted. *''Philenzo and Hippolito,'' a comedy by

; a 1660 Stationers Register entry characterizes it as a tragicomedy. An anonymous play of the same title belonged to

's company and was performed in 1594, but it is unknown what relation, if any, it had to the play in Warburton's hands. *''The Puritan Maid, the Modest Wife, and the Wanton Widow,'' attributed to

Thomas Middleton Thomas Middleton (baptised 18 April 1580 – July 1627; also spelt ''Midleton'') was an English Jacobean playwright and poet. He, with John Fletcher and Ben Jonson, was among the most successful and prolific of playwrights at work in the Jac ...

. *''The Royal Combat,'' a comedy by

. *''Saint George for England,'' a play by William Smith. *''The Spanish Purchase,'' a comedy, no author given. It was licensed for performance by the Salisbury Court company in 1639. *Tis Good Sleeping in a Whole Skin,'' attributed to W. Wager. *''The Tragedy of Job''. Possibly the same as ''The History of Job'', which Warburton assigned to Robert Greene. Alongside the entry Warburton wrote "Good," either his opinion of the play or who he thought was the author (no playwright named Good is known to have written for the English Renaissance stage). *''The Tyrant,'' a tragedy by

. *''The Vestal,'' a tragedy by

. Warburton lists it twice, either in error or because he had two manuscripts. *''The Widow's Prize,'' a comedy by William Sampson; licensed for performance by

Prince Charles' Men Prince Charles's Men (known as the Duke of York's Men from 1608 to 1612) was a playing company or troupe of actors in Jacobean era, Jacobean and Caroline era, Caroline England. The Jacobean era troupe The company was formed in 1608 as the Duke of ...

on 25 January 1625. *''The Woman's Plot,'' a comedy by

; it was performed at court by the King's Men on 5 November 1621. *''A Yorkshire Gentlewoman and Her Son,'' a tragedy with no author named; a 1660 Stationers Register entry assigns it to

. In addition, "A Play by William Shakespeare" (with no elaboration given) was also lost, as well as a copy of Sir John Suckling's "Works," possibly a printed edition.

Survivals

Warburton listed only three plays which escaped destruction: ''The Second Maiden's Tragedy'' (which he assigned to

, but now usually considered by scholars to be the work of

), ''The Queen of Corsica'' (a tragedy by

Francis Jaques Francis may refer to: People *Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State and Bishop of Rome * Francis (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters *Francis (surname) Places * Rural ...

), and ''The Bugbears'' (a comedy by John Jeffere). Not every play destroyed by Warburton's cook was irretrievably lost. Five of them have been preserved through separate sources. These include ''Believe as You List'', ''The Fair Favorite'', ''The Governor'', ''The Inconstant Lady'', and ''The Parliament of Love''. The prologue and epilogue to Thomas Jordan's ''Love Hath Found His Eyes'' are also still extant, published in Jordan's poetry collection ''Royal Arbor of Loyal Poesy'' (1663). It is possible that a few of the remaining plays have also been preserved, under different titles; Shakespeare's ''Duke Humphrey'', for example, may have been a version of ''Henry VI, part 2,'' in which Humphrey plays a major part.

Notes

References

The Survival of Manuscripts

* N. E. Bawcutt (ed.), ''The Control and Censorship of Caroline Drama: The Records of Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels'' (1996) * G. E. Bentley, ''The Jacobean and Caroline Stage'', 7 vols. (1941–1968) * E. K. Chambers, ''The Elizabethan Stage'', 4 vols. (1923)
John Warburton (1682–1759), Somerset herald and collector
{{DEFAULTSORT:Warburton, John 1682 births 1759 deaths English antiquarians English book and manuscript collectors English cartographers English genealogists English officers of arms Fellows of the Royal Society