INTRODUCTION

Summary

§ 1. Text. The text of the present edition is taken from the unique original in the collection of His Grace the Duke of Devonshire, K.G.

§ 2. Date. In vol. 1. p. 202 of Arber's Transcript of the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London, 1554–1640 A.D., (corresponding to fol. 85 b of Register A), occurs the following entry :

Recevyd of William Coplande for his lycense for pryntinge of an interlude intituled Jack Juggeler and mistress Boundgrace . . iiij^d

The part of the Register in which this occurs extends from fol. 84 a-92 a, and is headed ‘ffor Takynge of ffynes for Copyes as folowethe.’ This again is part of the ‘accompte made by… Wardens of the Companye of Stacioners of all such sommes of monye as hathe comme to theare handes from the xxij^th Daye of July Anno 1562 vnto the xxij of July Anno 1563 which ys by the space of one hole yere as folowethe.’

The ‘accompte’ for the 12 months fills fol. 82a-fol. 96 b.

The entry of the payment for Jack Juggeler is 36th out of 124. Five entries back is one ‘Recevyd of garrard Dewes for his lycense for pryntinge of a pycture of [a] monsterus pygge at Hamsted iiij^d.’ Arber's note on this is, ‘the broadside is entitled The description of a monstrous pig, the which was farrowed at Hamsted besyde London, the xvi day of October, the present yeare of our Lord God, MDLxij’.