The Monument of Matrones Volume 1 (Lamps 1–3)

Essential Works for the Study of Early Modern Women, Series III, Part One, Volume 4

Colin B. Atkinson

• Publisher: Routledge
• Year: 2017
• Topic: Literature
• eBook ISBN:
  9781351885614
• Subtopic: Literary Criticism
• Index: Literature

As its compiler Thomas Bentley writes, The Monument of Matrones (1582) is a 'domesticall librarie plentifullie stored and replenished'. This 1500-page book is one of a long line of books of secular prayer reaching from the Middle Ages through the sixteenth-century English compilations of prayer and meditations that grew out of the English Reformation. It is unique because it is addressed specifically to women and contains prayers and meditations written by women as well as for them. The Monument helped define women's roles in the Anglican Church and is intertwined with the whole nature of the Protestant Reformation and the place of women in it. The work is divided into seven numbered parts which Bentley titles 'Lamps'. This structural theme is based on a fusion of the imagery of the wise and foolish virgins and their lamps in Matthew 25:1-13 with the vision of the seven lampstands (or seven-branched candlestick) in Rev.1:20-2:1. In this facsimile edition Volume 1 contains Lamps 1-3, Volume 2 contains Lamp 4, and Volume 3 contains Lamps 5-7. The Introductory Note that appears in each of the three volumes provides an overview of the contents of The Monument which will help the reader to appreciate the riches of this immense book. It is also significant in identifying, for the first time, the compiler Thomas Bentley as the churchwarden of St Andrew Holborn, City of London. The copy reproduced in this edition is the British Library copy; where necessary, pages from The Huntington Library copy have been substituted.

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Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• The Monvment of Matrones: conteining seuen seuerall Lamps of Virginitie, or distinct treatises; whereof the first flue concerne praier and meditation: the other two last, precepts and examples, as the woorthie works partlie of men, partlie of women; compiled for the necessarie vse of both sexes out of the sacred Scriptures, and other approoued authors, by Thomas Bentley of Graies Inne Student.
• Preface by the General Editors
• Introductory Notes
• The first Lampe of Virginitie, conteining the diuine PRAIERS, HYMNES, or SONGS, made by sundrie holie women in the Scripture: something explaned in the hardest places, for the better vnderstanding and edifieng of the vnlearned Reader: and first, The praier of Hagar the handmaid of Sarai, which she made in hir trouble and banishment; wherein she rebuketh hir owne dulnesse, and scknowledgeth Gods graces, who was present with hir euerie-where.
• The second Lampe of Virginitie: Conteining diuers godlie Meditations, and Christian Praiers made by sundrie vertuous Queenes, and other deuout and godlie women in our time: and first, A Godlie MEDITATION of the inward loue of the soule towards Christ our LORD: composed first in French by the vertuous Ladie Margaret Queene of NAVARRE: aptlie, exactlie, and fruitfullie translated by our most gratious Souereigne Ladie Queene ELIZABETH, in the tender and maidenlie yeeres of hir youth and virginitie, to the great benefit of Gods Church, and comfort of the godlie.
• The Third Lampe of Virginitie; Conteining sundrie formes of diuine meditations & Christian praiers; penned by the godlie learned, to be properlie vsed of the Qveenes most excellent Maiestie, as especiallie vpon the 17.daie of Nouember, being the daie of the gladnesse of hir hart, and memorable feast of hir coronation: so on all other daies and times at hir Graces pleasure. Wherevnto also is added a most heauenlie HEAST spoken as it were in the person of GOD vnto hir Maiestie, conteining his diuine will and commandement concerning gouernement: and a right godlie and Christian VOW vttered againe by hir Grace vnto God, comprehending the heroicall office and dutie of a Prince: faithfu111ie compiled out of the holie Psalmes of that Princelie Prophet King DAVID, as they are learnedlie explaned by Theodore Beza: verie profitable to be often read and meditated vpon of hir Maiestie, and all other Christian Rulers and Gouernours, to the glorie of God; the benefit of his Church, and their owne euerlasting ioie and comfort in the holie GHOST.
• Appendix: Translation by Professor Charles Fantazzi of Latin prefatory material ('The first Lamp', sigs. A3v, B5v-B7r).