Leonard (Diggs) Digges (abt. 1588 - 1635)

Born about 1588 in London, England [uncertain]

Ancestors

Died 7 Apr 1635 at about age 47 in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Elizabeth Viney [send private message]

Biography

Leonard (Diggs) Digges is Notable.

Family

Leonard Diggs was born in about 1588 although there is no baptism record for him.

Leonard was the second son of Thomas and Anne Diggs.^[1]

It is often stated that he was born in London but equally could have been born at the family seat in Barham. More likely though is that this event coincided with his father being in the Low Countries and may not have had his children, including Leonard and his brother Dudley baptised in England.

Between 1586 and 1594 his father Thomas was Mustermaster-General of the Queen's armies in the Low Countries. A summary of his service was noted 8 October 1588,^[2] the year Leonard was born.

There is also evidence the family had returned to London by 1594 as Leonard's sister Ursula was baptised in St Mary-the-virgin, Aldermanbury on 19 July that year.^[3]

Leonard's father Thomas died in August 1595, Leonard, then aged about 7, is named as a beneficiary in his father's will, that had been written on 10 June 1591. Thomas bequeathed him specifically:

Item, I give to Leonard Digges, my son, after he cometh to the age of one and twenty years, one annual rentcharge of one hundred marks a year for the term of threescore years if he shall so long live, and until he shall come to that age I will that Anne, my wife, shall have twenty pounds a year allowed her out of my lands and leases for his education, and if she die before his said age, then the same to be yearly paid to such as shall have the education of him till his said age of one and twenty years;

There were also several entail bequests but they were on the condition either that Leonard's older brother died before age 24 or without an heir, for him to inherit. That included for instance "my house in London and the use of the household stuff and other furniture for housekeeping". (His brother not only outlived Leonard but also had children including a son and heir).

His father was buried in St Mary Aldermanbury on 29 August 1595.^[4]

St Mary Aldermanbury was a parish church in the City of London and first mentioned in 1181, although destroyed by the Great Fire of London in 1666. Also living in St Mary Aldermanbury were Henry Condell and John Heminges, co-partners with William Shakespeare in the Globe Theatre and fellow actors in the KIng's Men troup of actors. Indeed they were both buried in the churchyard. ^[5]

Leonard and his mother Anne and siblings seem to have remained in the St Mary Aldermanbury area until about 1600, after the death of Frances Brace, a widower, who had been courting Ann before he died in 1599. From him she had acquired the lease to his family estate at Rushock in Worcestershire, in return for paying off some of his debt.

But by 1600 Anne and her young family were either living with Thomas Russell at his estate at Alderminster in Warwickshire, or at the more expansive property in Rushock. By now Leonard was about 12.

After a two year battle in court Anne eventually secured the estate of her late husband and in doing so allowed her to inherit and also remarry, which had been barred under the original will.

Consequently Anne remarried to Thomas Russell in Rushock, Worcestershire, on 26 August 1603, the month after Leonard matriculated at Oxford University aged 15.

It is known that Thomas was a familiar of William Shakespeare, especially given he was later appointed an overseer of the playwright's last will and testament. But how much of an influence was Thomas on his step son, we may never know, but his associations may have shaped Leonards future career decisions, in those three short years.

And it seems highly unlikely either that Leonard met Shakespeare or he even had befriended Leonard as is often suggested.^[6] But we can see from some of Leonard's work, Shakespeare had a profound effect on him throughout his life.

Education

Leonard entered University College, Oxford and matriculated on 1 July 1603.^[7]

Leonard obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) Degree from University College, Oxford on 31 October 1606.^[8]

University College, Oxford

He was created Master of Arts (MA) in congregation on 20 November 1626. And is described upon that creation in the Athenae Oxonienses as follows. ^[8]

"In academiis transmarinis bonarum artium studiis diu versatus"

Translated approximately as :"turned his intention to studing overseas in order to become an academic of the good arts".

Leonard was a poet, and translator, and appears to have been proficient in Latin, Spanish and French.

Foreign travels

We know that Leonard travelled abroad extensively and in about 1611 accompanied his friend James Mabbe to Spain, when Mabbe was the secretary to Sir James Digby, also a graduate of Oxford having studied at Magdelen College.

Mabbe was interested in literary fashions at this time, which is apparent from the copy of Lope de Vega’s Rimas published in 1613 that Mabbe was sending to fellow Oxfordian Will Baker and that Leonard wrote an inscription on the flyleaf that reads:

“Will Baker: knowinge that Mr Mab: was to sende you this book of son[n]ets, which with Spaniards here is accounted of their Lope de Vega as in Englande wee sholde of our Will Shakespeare–I cold–not but inserte thus much to you, that if you like him not you should never never read Spanish poet" Leo Diggs.^[9]

Leonard was a humorist and this is perhaps an example of his wit.

Leonard is believed to have returned to England in 1617 the year after William Shakespeare died. He resided at University College and continued his "studies".

Major works

Leonard translated from Latin into English Claudian's Rape of Proserpine, in 1617. This was also published in 1628 by Hugh Perry. Leonard dedicates his translation to his "honourable and vertuous sister" Lady Palmer (Margaret) wife to Sir Anthony Palmer Knight of the Bath.^[10]

He enthuases:

"My dear sister, the Dedication of this poem can belong to none more fitly, then to your self, since (next under God) your care of me in a desperate sickness, made me live to finish it".

This seems to show a strong bond between siblings.

And he also translated from Spanish into English "Gerardo the Unfortunate Spaniard", in 1622. From an original story by Goncalo de Cespades.^[11] This included a dedication to the Earls of Pembroke and Montgomery and a preface by Leonard.^[12] This story was published by Edward Blount who was also Mabbe's publisher.

Leonard also wrote verses included in James Mabbe's "Rogue" (his adaptation of Alemán’s Guzmán de Alfarache) in 1623 ^[13] This was one of the best selling publications of that period.

And postumously in Giovanni Sorriano's "Italian Tutor" in 1640.

Leonard was certainly an admirer of the "Bard of Avon", and even predicted Shakespeare's longevity and place in history, when writing his commendatory verses as the preface to the 1623 edition of the First Folio - the first publicised works of Shakespeare's poems and plays.^[14]

To THE MEMORIE

of the deceaſed Authour Maiſier

W. Shakespeare.

Shake-ſpeare, at length thy pious fellowes give

The world thy Workes: thy Workes, by which, out-live

Thy Tombe, thy name muſt : when that ſtone is rent,

And Time diſſolves thy Stratford Moniment,

Here we alive ſhall view thee ſtill. This Booke,

When Braſſe and Marble fade, ſhall make thee looke

Freſh to all Ages: when Poſteritie

Shall loath what's new, thinke all is prodegie

That is not Shake-ſpeares; ev'ry Line, each Verſe,

Here ſhall revive, redeeme thee from thy Herſe.

Nor Fire, nor cankring Age, as Naſo ſaid,

Of his, thy wit-fraught Booke ſhall once invade.

Nor ſhall I e're beleeve, or thinke thee dead

(Though miſt) untill our bankrout Stage be ſped

(Impoſſible) with ſome new ſtrain tº out-do

Paſſions of Juliet, and her Romeo

Or till I heare a Scene more nobly take,

Then when thy half-Sword parlying Romans ſpake,

Till theſe, till any of thy Volumes reſt

Shall with more fire, more feeling be expreſt,

Be ſure, our Shake-ſpeare, thou canſt never dye,

But crown'd with Lawrell, live eternally.

-Leonard Digges. 1623

Experts have pondered the curious references to Shakespeare's monument, given a conspiracy that it is actually bears likeness to that of Rosecrusian Robert Flood.^[15]

Actors Condell and Heminges were also key figures in the production of that First Folio of William Shakespeare's plays, to which Leonard contributed his poem.^[16]

Leonard is remembered in a publication of works by "Kentish Poets" written in 1821 by Rowland Freeman and features Leonard's translation of the Spanish novel, entitled ‘Gerardo, the Unfortunate Spaniard,’ by G. de Cespedes y Meneses, and dedicated it to the brothers William, earl of Pembroke, and Philip, earl of Montgomery.

It demonstrates Leonard's skill with the English language and in conveying the original authors intent from Spanish and with a little humour as well. In the dedication to the Noble gentlemen he narrates thus:

"Translations, as says a witty Spaniard, are, in respect to their originals, like the knotty wrong-sides of arras-hangings, but by the wit's leave; as the fair outside could ill be seen, without the help of knots within; no more can the fame of a well deserving author be far spread, without the labour of translation".

This publication also presents Leonard's foreword for the reader, explaining that the hapless lover, Gerardo, is the author who wrote the stories during five years in prison and felt they needed to be "far spread".^[17]

Leonard's commendatory verses were also added, postumously to a second Foilio of Shakespoeare's works published in 1640.

Religious beliefs

There is one clue to Leonard's relegious beliefs which is declared in his preface to his translation of "Gerado".

Here he firmly states that in choosing the specific texts to translate he excluded from the translation one piece which he explains, in his own words:

"One bye-discourse I have left out, as superstitiously smelling of papistical miracles in which I have no belief"^[17]

Death

Leonard spent his later years at University College, and died there on 7 April 1635 at about age 47.

His body was buried, Anthony a'Wood the Oxford antiquary, records, "in that little old Chapel of University College, sometime standing about the middle of the present quadrangle, which was pulled down in 1668."^[18]

But we know from the University College website ^[19] that the replacement for a chapel commenced in 1639, although suspended during the English Civil wars, was completed in the 1660s after the Restoration of the Monarchy when work resumed on the Chapel: the windows were now brought out of storage, and a roof and furnishings built. The Chapel was consecrated on 20 March 1666. But in any case Leonard had already died before 1639 so was possible he was buried in the original chapel as stated, and the old chapel remained until the new chapel was completed. The date of 1668 would tally. ^[20]

Leonard did not write a last will and testament as far as we know.

Research notes

• Sometimes the family name was spelt Digges, and are interchangeable.
• Whilst I suspect Leonard's year of birth is based on his age when he would have normally entered university aged 15. there are no baptism records in Barham in Kent, near Canterbury, and I have even looked through all the pages in Tylers Index for parish registers (on Ancestry) his hand written notes. I also looked at the notebook for Chilham and for Wootton, and likewise cannot find a record.^[21] Nor is there a baptism record in the parish registers for St Mary Aldermanbury, London, only one for sister Ursula in 1594.
• His father wrote a will dated 1591 but probate not granted until 1595, so Leonard was definitely born before that date.
• His brother Sir Dudley Diggs died in 1638, after Leonard, as did his mother who survived him.
• Also of note is that Leonard is not mentioned in his step father Thomas Russell's will, nor is he mentioned in his brother in law Sir Anthony Palmer's will either, although his brother Sir Dudley Diggs is named in the latter and is appointed as Executor and is a significant beneficiary.
• The translation of his Latin "commendation" for the MA is my own work, and may not bear scrutiny from Latin scholars! Please amend as necessary. Thanks.
• The text for Leonard's poem is extracted from an online version that uses old english "s", and looks quite effective.
• St Mary Aldermanbury church was rebuilt on a design by Sir Christopher Wren after 1666, and stood until 1940 when it was partly destroyed during the second world war. Then it was dismantled and shipped to Fulton in Missouri, where it was rebuilt and resides today.

Sources

1. ↑ College of Arms (Great Britain), et al.. The Visitation of Kent: Taken In the Years 1619-1623. London, 18981900. see page 65 Hathi Trust
2. ↑ "Elizabeth: October 1588, 6-10," in Calendar of State Papers Foreign: Elizabeth, Volume 22, July-December 1588, ed. Richard Bruce Wernham (London: His Majesty's Stationery Office, 1936), 247-258. British History Online, accessed December 1, 2021, BHO
3. ↑ Baptism of sister Ursula London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 for Ursula Diggs City of London Saint Mary Aldermanbury 1538-1722 https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/491080?mark=1d2af4df1122fbe7e7fef7ce5e068e02c973b815df5bb6a7d73f8ab9af6968a6
4. ↑ 'Burial of Thomas Digges London, England, Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, 1538-1812 City of London Saint Mary Aldermanbury 1538-1722 https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/147691?token=wRd9iAO%2BmkaHsTiPfpTY6LKNQqObYntiGkvGUybScYA%3D
5. ↑ St Mary Aldermanbury From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wikipedia
6. ↑ The Shakespeare Oxford Newsletter Vo1.37:no.1 - Spring 2001 By Richard F Whalen p1, pp13-15 https://shakespeareoxfordfellowship.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/SOSNL_2001_2.pdf
7. ↑ Oxford University Alumni, 1500-1886 1500-1714, Volume I - D https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/134015?token=e81IVvuAvJqhcUW372lg5%2F6bEPBMrCBdc4jxRGJBlDw%3D
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1} Wood, Anthony à, 1632-1695, Philip Bliss, and University of Oxford. Athenae Oxonienses: An Exact History of All the Writers And Bishops Who Have Had Their Education In the University of Oxford. To Which Are Added the Fasti, Or Annals of the Said University. A new ed., with additions, and a continuation by Philip Bliss. London: Rivington [etc.], 181320. HathiTrust
9. ↑ Maybe Exemplary? James Mabbe’s Translation of the Exemplarie Novells (1640) Alexander Samson University College London https://arcade.stanford.edu/sites/default/files/article_pdfs/ROFL_v6_Samson_final.pdf
10. ↑ Claudianus, Claudius. Claudian translated out of Latine into English verse. By Leonard Digges. United Kingdom, Hugh Perry, 1628. GoogleBooks
11. ↑ Leonard Digges in the Chalmers' General Biographical Dictionary [1]
12. ↑ International Congress of Hispanists (1st : 1962 : Oxford, England), D. M. (David McGregor) Rogers, P. E. (Peter Edward) Russell, and Bodleian Library. A Catalogue of Hispanic Manuscripts And Books Before 1700 From the Bodleian Library And Oxford College Libraries Exhibited At the Taylor Institution 6-11 September, 1962: [on the Occasion of The] Primer Congreso Internacional De Hispanistas. , 1962. HathiTrust
13. ↑ International Congress of Hispanists (1st : 1962 : Oxford, England), D. M. (David McGregor) Rogers, P. E. (Peter Edward) Russell, and Bodleian Library. A Catalogue of Hispanic Manuscripts And Books Before 1700 From the Bodleian Library And Oxford College Libraries Exhibited At the Taylor Institution 6-11 September, 1962: [on the Occasion of The] Primer Congreso Internacional De Hispanistas. , 1962. Page 25. Hathi
14. ↑ Ingleby, Clement Mansfield, 1823-1886, and Lucy Toulmin Smith. Shakespeare's Centurie of Prayse: Being Materials for a History of Opinion On Shakespeare And His Works, A.D. 1591-1693. 2d ed., rev., with many additions, London: Pub. for the New Shakspere society, by N. Trübner & co., 1879. HathiTrust
15. ↑ Wigston, William Francis C. A New Study of Shakespeare: an Inquiry Into the Connection of the Plays And Poems, With the Origins of the Classical Drama, And With the Platonic Philosophy, Through the Mysteries. London: Trübner and Co., Paternoster Row, E.C., 1884. HathiTrust
16. ↑ St Mary Aldermanbury From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wikipedia
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Freeman, Rowland. Kentish Poets: A Series of Writers In English Poetry, Natives of Or Residents In the County of Kent; With Specimens of Their Compositions, And Some Account of Their Lives And Writings. Canterbury: G. Wood; [etc., etc.], 1821. Vol 2 p2 HathiTrust
18. ↑ Athenae Oxonienses : an exact history of all the writers and bishops who have had their education in the University of Oxford : to which are added the Fasti, or Annals of the said University by Wood, Anthony à, 1632-1695; Bliss, Philip, 1787-1857 page 593 Archive
19. ↑ Chapel
20. ↑ Burial Leonard Digges (writer) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wikipedia
21. ↑ Image of Tyler's Index https://www.ancestry.co.uk/sharing/136915?token=dKXAElK80%2BBXPYiLsXIdUmTxcPntuCgQAx5TKyw5U7s%3D