The Lewkenor Circle · Biography
Samuel Lewkenor: Traveller, Writer and Parliamentarian
Lewes’s younger brother, whose European journeys became a book for readers at home.
A second writer in the family
Samuel Lewkenor, baptised in 1571, was a younger son of Thomas Lewkenor and Bridget Lewes of Selsey. Like his elder brother Lewes, he travelled abroad, wrote for publication and entered Parliament. His interests brought foreign cities, universities and the political business of England into the same career.
Samuel’s continental travels took him through central Europe. His own account presents the journey as one undertaken:
“Without the privity or liking of my father.”
Samuel Lewkenor, A Discourse (1600); spelling modernised.
Foreign cities without travelling
In 1600 he published A Discourse Not Altogether Unprofitable, Nor Unpleasant for Such as Are Desirous to Know the Situation and Customs of Foreign Cities without Travelling to See Them. Its scope is announced in the continuation of the title:
“Containing a discourse of all those cities wherein do flourish at this day privileged universities.”
Samuel Lewkenor, A Discourse (1600), title page; spelling modernised.
Samuel combined travel with reading to describe cities and their institutions. His book offered English readers a route through continental learning, while its author described himself as more familiar with:
“The warlike sound of martial drums, than with the schools and Lectures of Philosophy.”
Samuel Lewkenor, A Discourse; spelling modernised.
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Prague and Vienna
Samuel’s description of Prague attends to its buildings and communities, including the Jewish inhabitants who:
“Have their peculiar laws and liberties.”
Samuel Lewkenor, A Discourse; spelling modernised.
He describes Vienna as the:
“Most renowned metropolis and residence of the Archdukes of Austria.”
Samuel Lewkenor, A Discourse; spelling modernised.
These descriptions give Samuel’s work a place beside Lewes’s Venetian translation. The brothers brought different regions and institutions of Europe before English readers: one describing universities and cities, the other translating the government of a republic.
Parliament and freedom of speech
Samuel represented Bishop’s Castle in James I’s Parliament. Lewes sat for Bridgnorth. Their simultaneous service placed both brothers within debates about royal government and the privileges of the Commons.
Samuel argued that members should be able:
“With all liberty and freedom and without fear, deliver their opinions in the matter in hand.”
Samuel Lewkenor’s parliamentary intervention on freedom of speech, quoted in William Corbett, The Master of the Ceremonies.
His concern was the reporting of members’ speeches to the King and the possibility of royal reprimand. The traveller and author was also a participant in the argument over how freely a representative could speak.
The Shakespeare investigations
Samuel’s account of Vienna provides a contemporary English description to read alongside the setting of Measure for Measure. His travels and the correspondence surrounding the Hesketh affair also belong to the historical investigation accompanying Hamlet, with its dangerous messages and political intelligence.
His importance begins with his own work and career: a second Lewkenor author, traveller and parliamentarian, whose activities widened the family’s European connections.
Sources
Samuel Lewkenor, A Discourse Not Altogether Unprofitable, Nor Unpleasant (London: John Windet for Humfrey Hooper, 1600).
History of Parliament: Samuel Lewknor, for his family, travels and parliamentary career.
William Corbett, The Master of the Ceremonies, Samuel Lewkenor, foreign universities and Parliament sections.
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