Wolston Priory, where the last of the Marprelate tracts were printed.
The Marprelate tracts are among the most interesting anonymous works of the Elizabethan period. The identity of their author has always been a mystery. However, internal evidence in the tracts (including a slip in the Protestation in which Martin speaks of himself "and other great men") renders it almost certain that he was Edward De Vere (1550-1604), 17th Earl of Oxford.
Click here for an introduction setting out the reasons for attributing authorship to Oxford, genealogical charts showing Oxford's relationship to persons connected with the tracts, a note on the secret press, a chronology of the printing of the tracts, photographs of locations connected with the tracts, a list of clerics Oxford may have known personally, and a bibliography.
Click here for modern spelling editions of the Marprelate tracts and other documents related to the Marprelate tracts.
1588
1589
Certain Mineral And Metaphysical School-Points
Just Censure And Reproof Of Martin Junior
ANTI-MARPRELATE TRACTS (written by Martin Marprelate to throw his pursuers off the trail)
1589
Countercuff Given To Martin Junior
Rhythms Against Martin Marprelate
1590
First Part Of Pasquil's Apology
OTHER TRACTS which Leland H. Carlson has suggested were written by Martin Marprelate
1572
Answer To Certain Pieces Of A Sermon
Exhortation To The Bishops To Deal Brotherly With Their Brethren
Exhortation To The Bishops And Their Clergy
Second Admonition To The Parliament
Certain Articles Collected
1573
Friendly Caveat To Bishop Sands
1588
State Of The Church Of England Laid Open (Diotrephes' Dialogue)
1589
Dialogue Wherein Is Plainly Laid Open
Master Some Laid Open In His Colours [Excerpt]
OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE MARPRELATE TRACTS
1518
Last will and testament, dated 1 May 1518, of Sir Robert Throckmorton, whose great-grandson, Job Throckmorton, assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts
1526
Last will and testament, dated 4 May 1526, of William, Lord Willoughby, uncle of 'Mistress Crane' at whose manor of East Molesey the first of the Marprelate tracts was printed by Robert Waldegrave on a secret press in October 1588
1543
Last will and testament, dated 31 August 1543, of Elizabeth (nee Throckmorton) Englefield, great-aunt of Job Throckmorton, who assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts in 1589
1545
Last will and testament, dated 1 March 1545, of Lady Anne Hussey, aunt of 'Mistress Crane' at whose manor of East Molesey the first of the Marprelate tracts was printed by Robert Waldegrave on a secret press in October 1588
Last will and testament, dated 19 November 1545, of Sir Robert Hussey, father of 'Mistress Crane' at whose manor of East Molesey the first of the Marprelate tracts was printed by Robert Waldegrave on a secret press in October 1588
1552
Last will and testament, dated 20 July 1552, of Sir George Throckmorton, grandfather of Oxford's friend, Arthur Throckmorton, and of Job Throckmorton, who assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts in 1589
1571
Last will and testament, dated 8 February 1571, of Sir Nicholas Throckmorton, father of Oxford's friend, Arthur Throckmorton, and uncle of Job Throckmorton, who assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts in 1589
1581
Last will and testament, dated 6 February 1581, of Sir Robert Throckmorton, uncle of Oxford's friend, Arthur Throckmorton, and uncle of Job Throckmorton, who assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts in 1589
1583
Last will and testament, dated 3 September 1586, of Mary Throckmorton, whose uncle, George Puttenham, in The Arte of English Poesie, named Oxford among court poets who have written 'excellently well', and whose first cousin, Job Throckmorton, assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts in 1589
Nuncupative will, dated 16 August 1583, of Anthony Crane, whose wife, Elizabeth, was the 'Mistress Crane' at whose manor of East Molesey the first of the Marprelate tracts was printed by Robert Waldegrave on a secret press in October 1588
1586
Last will and testament, dated 6 September 1586, of Charles Hussey 'the younger', whose sister, Elizabeth, was the 'Mistress Crane' at whose manor of East Molesey the first of the Marprelate tracts was printed by Robert Waldegrave on a secret press in October 1588
1590
Last will and testament, dated 1 January 1590, of George Carleton, whose third wife, Elizabeth, was the 'Mistress Crane' at whose manor of East Molesey the first of the Marprelate tracts was printed by Robert Waldegrave on a secret press in October 1588
1602
Last will and testament, dated 22 September 1602 and 7 July 1604, of Sir William Browne, whose stepsister, Dorothy Vernon, married Job Throckmorton, who assisted with the printing of the Marprelate tracts in 1589