Elizabeth Jane Weston
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth Jane Weston (1581–1612) was mostly known for her Neo-Latin poetry, and she had the unusual distinction for a woman of that time of having her poetry published. The full works, published in two volumes in 1608, were entitled Parthenica (meaning Maidenly Writings). The subject matter varied between idyllic reveries, odes to Rudolf II (originally sent to him with the intention of convincing him to lend money), odes to herself, and anti-Semitic diatribes.
She was born to Jane Cooper in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England. Nothing is known about her father, but her stepfather, Edward Kelley
, was a well-known alchemist. Kelley, along with John Dee
, was employed in the court of Rudolf II, which resulted in the family moving to Prague
.
Her command of languages was remarkable, being fluent in at least five: Czech, English, German, Italian, and Latin.
In 1603 she married a lawyer, Johnnes Leo. Together, they had seven children, before she died in childbirth in 1612. She is buried in St. Thomas Church in the Mala Strana section of Prague.
A collection of her poetry, edited and translated by Donald Cheney and Brenda M. Hosington, was published by the University of Toronto Press
in 2000.
She was born to Jane Cooper in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England. Nothing is known about her father, but her stepfather, Edward Kelley
Edward Kelley
Sir Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot was an ambiguous figure in English Renaissance occultism and self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee in his magical investigations...
, was a well-known alchemist. Kelley, along with John Dee
John Dee (mathematician)
John Dee was an English mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, occultist, navigator, imperialist and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy, divination and Hermetic philosophy....
, was employed in the court of Rudolf II, which resulted in the family moving to Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
.
Her command of languages was remarkable, being fluent in at least five: Czech, English, German, Italian, and Latin.
In 1603 she married a lawyer, Johnnes Leo. Together, they had seven children, before she died in childbirth in 1612. She is buried in St. Thomas Church in the Mala Strana section of Prague.
A collection of her poetry, edited and translated by Donald Cheney and Brenda M. Hosington, was published by the University of Toronto Press
University of Toronto Press
University of Toronto Press is Canada's leading scholarly publisher and one of the largest university presses in North America. Founded in 1901, UTP has published over 6,500 books, with well over 3,500 of these still in print....
in 2000.
External links
- Radio Praha interview with an expert on the poetess
- A biography
- Collected Writings of Elizabeth Jane Weston
- Parthenica (at CAMENA)
- The play Rudolf II, by Edward EinhornEdward EinhornEdward Einhorn is an American playwright, theater director, and novelist, noted for the comic absurdism of his drama and the imaginative richness of his literary works....
, features Elizabeth Jane Weston as a character - The third act of the play Burn Your Bookes, by Richard Byrne, deals with the relationship between Elizabeth Jane Weston and Edward KelleyEdward KelleySir Edward Kelley or Kelly, also known as Edward Talbot was an ambiguous figure in English Renaissance occultism and self-declared spirit medium who worked with John Dee in his magical investigations...
.