THE

LITERARY

OF

WOMEN

ENGLAND.

INCLUDING A BIOGRAPHICAL EPITOME OF ALL THE MOST EMINENT TO
THE YEAR 1700; AND SKETCHES OF THE POETESSES

TO THE YEAR 1850;

WITH

EXTRACTS FROM THEIR WORKS, AND CRITICAL REMARKS,

BY JANE WILLIAMS,

6

AUTHOR OF ARTEGALL,' A MEMOIR OF THE REV. THOMAS PRICE,' ETC.

"All these were honoured in their generations, and were
the glory of their times."-ECCLESIASTICUS xliv. 7.

SAUNDERS, OTLEY, AND CO.,

66, BROOK STREET, HANOVER SQUARE.

1861.

VBLIC

93.456

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET,

AND CHARING CROSS,

CONTENTS..

INTRODUCTION.

Survey of works already existing which treat of kindred subjects, with

reasons for believing the present work to be required

Page 1

A.D.

1500.

-

The Ancient Germans - The Anglo-Saxons, in-

The Ancient Britons-

cluding the Abbess Hilda, the Abbess Eadburga, Queen Osburga, Ethel-

The Saxon Abbess

fleda, Lady of the Mercians, and Queen Editha -

Hroswitha of Gandersheim - The Anglo-Normans, including Queen

Matilda and Queen Adeliza - Ceridwen, a Welsh Myth-Mary of

France-Translated Works of Christina of Pisa-English and French

Languages-Lady Pelham-The Pastons Missive Letters - Queen

Elizabeth Woodville - Juliana Prioress of Sopewell - Devorguilla Bal-

Mary St. Paul,

liol Queen Philippa - The Countess of Ulster

Countess of Pembroke - Queen Margaret of Anjou

-

CHAPTER II.

A.D. 1500-1550.

Margaret Countess, of Richmond

Localities

-

-

14

Remarks on the Period- Biographical

Queen Anne Boleyn - The Daughters of Sir Thomas

-

More Margaret Gigs

Frances Lady Abergavenny

Anne Askew Queen Catherine Parr-

-

CHAPTER III.

A.D. 1550-1600.

31

Mary Countess of Arundel -

Arundel

Lumley

Cooke

Queen Mary Tudor-Mary Roper - Mary Countess of Sussex and

The Ladies Anne, Margaret, and Jane Seymour - Lady

The four Daughters of Sir Anthony

Queen Mary Stuart

Margaret Ascham

Anne Countess of Oxford

Wheathill - Frances Countess of Sussex

CHAPTER IV.

A.D. 1600-1650.

Queen Elizabeth - Elizabeth Grymston - Elizabeth Jane Leon - Lady

Elizabeth Carew-Mary Countess of Pembroke-Lady Mary Wroth-

Elizabeth Countess of Lincoln-Anne Countess of Arundel

Page 65

-

CHAPTER VI.

A.D. 1675-1700.

--

Introductory Remarks - Mary Countess of Warwick-Lady Pakington

- Lady Fanshawe-Anne Killigrew Anne Wharton - Lucy Mar-

chioness of Wharton - Aphara Behn - Elizabeth Walker Lady

Gethin Lady Halket - Retrospective Observations and Remarks on

the True Purposes of Biography, and on the Abilities and Writings of

Women..

114

CHAPTER VII.

THE POETESSES.

A Dissertation upon Poetry-its Nature and Uses..

Lady Chudleigh

Centlivre

. 134

CHAPTER VIII.

THE POETESSES.-A.D. 1700-1725.

Mary Monk - The Countess of Winchelsea - Susannah

De la Rivière Manley

143

Frances Duchess of Somerset-Elizabeth Tollet - Miss Pennington -

Miss Farrer - Anne Viscountess Irwin - Anne Countess Temple-

Anne Williams- Lady O'Neil Susannah Blamire

son

-

Mary Robin.

189

CHAPTER XI.

THE POETESSES.-A.D. 1800-1806.

Caroline Symmons - Elizabeth Carter - Charlotte Smith

206

229

Mrs. Hunter Mrs. Thrale-Jane Taylor-Eleanor Anne Porden-

Mrs. Barbauld - Lady Anne Barnard

265