From the ‘Worthies of England’ (1662), pp. 257–8, by Thomas Fuller (1608–61), bishop and chaplain in extraordinary to Charles II. The ‘Worthies’ is a series of lives of eminent Englishmen.
John Skelton is placed in this County, on a double probability. First, because an ancient family of his name is eminently known long fixed therein. Secondly, because he was beneficed at Dis, a Market-town in Norfolk. He usually styles himself (and that Nemine contradicente [without contradiction], for ought I find) the King's Orator and Poet Laureat. We need go no further for a testimony of his learning than to Erasmus, styling him in his letter to King Henry the eight, Britannicarum Literarum Lumen et Decus [see No. 2a above].
Indeed he had scholarship enough, and wit too much; seeing one saith truly of him, Ejus sermo salsus in mordacem, risus in opprobrium, jocus in amaritudinem. (1) Yet was his Satyrical wit unhappy to light on three Noli me tangere's (2) viz., the rod of a Schoolmaster, the Couls of Friars, and the Cap of a Cardinal. The first gave him a lash, the second deprived him of his lively-hood, the third almost outed him of his life.
William Lilly was the School-master, whom he fell foul with, though gaining nothing thereby, as may appear by his return. And this I will do for W. Lilly (though often beaten for his sake) endeavour to translate his answer; [For text and translations see No. 6 above].
The Dominican Friars were the next he contested with, whose viciousness lay pat enough for his hand; but such foul Lubbers fell heavy on all which found fault with them. These instigated Nix Bishop of Norwich to call him to account for keeping a Concubine, which cost him (as it seems) a suspension from his benefice.
But Cardinal Wolsey (impar congressus [unequal contest] betwixt a poor Poet and so potent a Prelate) being inveighed against by his pen, and charged with too much truth, so persecuted him that he was forced to take Sanctuary at Westminster, where Abbot Islip used him with much respect. In this restraint he died, June 21, 1529; and is buried in Saint Margaret's chapel with this Epitaph:
J. Skeltonus Vates Pierius hic situs est.
[J. Skelton, poet of the Muses, is buried here.]
The word Vates being Poet or Prophet, minds me of this dying Skelton's prediction, foretelling the ruin of Cardinal Wolsey. Surely, one unskilled in prophecies, if well versed in Solomon's Proverbs, might have prognosticated as much, that, Pride goeth before a fall.
We must not forget, how being charged by some on his death-bed, for begetting many children on the aforesaid Concubine, he protested that in his Conscience he kept her in the notion of a wife, though such his cowardliness, that he would rather confess adultery (then accounted but a venial (than own marriage, esteemed a capital crime in that age.
1 A misquotation from John Pits, ‘Relationum Historicarum de Rebus Anglicis’ (1619); the correct translation reads, ‘his nimble speech was often turned into jest, his laughter into opprobrium, his mirth into bitterness.’
2 Literally ‘do not touch me’, i.e. prohibited topics.