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Aemilia Lanyer is one of the more interesting women poets of the English renaissance. Her work, Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum, effectively rewrites biblical history to provide a much more positive view of women throughout history. This first article will provide a brief biography & bibliography on Lanyer. Next week, I'll include some analyses and theories concerning her work. For the text of Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum, please refer to the books in the bibliography, or take a look at http://www.usask.ca/english/phoenix/lany... for some excerpts of Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum.
Baptista died when she was 7 years old, Margaret when she was 18. Aemilia was educated by Susan Bertie, the Countess of Kent. She received a good humanist education, inspired by Cheke, Ascham, and Wilson, with an emphasis on Cicero. Her education included Latin, some Greek & rhetoric. By 20, Aemilia was the mistress of Henry Carey, Lord Chamberlain. He was likely the father of her first child, a son, Henry Lanyer. Aemilia married Alfonso Lanyer, a court musician, in 1592. Marriage was likely arranged to cover her pregnancy. Regularly visited astrologer Simon Forman. This is where much of our biographical information comes from. She was concerned about repeated miscarriages and family fortune. Forman expresses some frustration that Aemilia wouldn't sleep with him (but she did become romantically involved with him to an extent). Published Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum in 1610/11. Alfonso Lanyer died 1613. Aemilia ran a school from 1617-19. Spent time, possibly as a music tutor with Margaret, Countess of Cumberland, dates unknown, although there is a prose dedication to Margaret in Salve Deus. Records list her as a pensioner (meaning that she had an income) at the time of her death in 1645. Salve Deus Rex Judaeorum: Salve Deus may be divided into three parts. The first consists of 9 dedicatory poems, a prose dedication, and an epistle to the reader. The second part is a meditation on the Passion and Death of Christ. It includes Eve's Apology, The Tears of the Daughters of Jerusalem, The Salutation & Sorrow of the Virgin. The third part is a country house poem, "The Description of Cooke-Ham". Celebration of estate as lost female paradise. (May be 1st "country house" poem, published before Jonson's "To Penhurst") Some ideas for analysis: (These will be discussed in detail in next week's article) Lanyer's religious background. Influence of prophetic/apocalyptic writings. Subversive feminine discourse in Lanyer. Women's voices in scripture. Community of good women. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Aemilia Lanyer: Redeeming Women Through Faith & Poetry (pt. 1) in Church History is owned by Michelle Powell-Smith. Permission to republish Aemilia Lanyer: Redeeming Women Through Faith & Poetry (pt. 1) in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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