Risus Anglicanus [manuscript], ca. 1615.

20 leaves ; 21 x 16 cm

A 5 act comedy of a fictitious, semi-historical nature, relating the alleged tribulations and failures at Rome of leading Jesuits to counteract the implications of the Oath of Allegiance of 1606. Following the opening scene of a conclave between Ignatius Loyola, Lucifer, and Pope Paul V, the first three acts describe the resolves of the Jesuit publicists (with assistance from their diabolic familiars) to counter the propaganda of James I. The play ends with Thomas Fitzherbert (who characterized as too ignorant to speak Latin and speaks English) being led off to a solemn examination by his superiors.

In Latin and English.

Characters are largely historical participants in the controversy: Ignatius Loyola, Pope Paul V, Cardinal Bellarmine (under his pseudonym Matthaeus Tortus), Kaspar Schoppe, Martin Becan, Andreas Eudaemon-Joannes, Robert Abercromby (under his pseudonym Bartolus Pacenius), Leonardus Coquaeus, Francisco Suarez, and Thomas Fitzherbert. Additional characters include the "Daemunculi assistentes:" Delirium Torti, Profanitas Scioppi, Sycophantia Paceni, Impudentia Eudaemonis, Excordia Becam, Vacuum Coquaei.

Bound with 16 other manuscript works in the 18th century; repaired and separated into 15 booklets, some with multiple works, in 1993 (J.a.1 (1-15)). Modern pencil foliation added before separation: 24-43.

Reproduced in facsimile in Renaissance Latin Drama in England. Second series, 6 (1988)

Sold in sale of Marquess of Cholmondeley Library (Sotheby Sale, 17-20 March, 1925, no. 450)

Purchased from Maggs, 1932 (cat. 569, no. 204)

J.a.1 (3)

cs2203