[16] “John Skelton was a younger branch of the Skeltons of Skelton in this County [Cumberland]. I crave leave of the Reader, (hitherto not having full instructions, and) preserving the undoubted Title of this County unto him, to defer his character to Norfolk, where he was Beneficed at Diss therein.” Fuller’s _Worthies_, p. 221 (_Cumberland_), ed. 1662. “John Skelton is placed in this County [Norfolk] 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,” &c. _Id._ p. 257 (_Norfolk_).—“John Skelton ... was originally, if not nearly, descended from the Skeltons of Cumberland.” Wood’s _Ath. Oxon._ i. 49. ed. Bliss. See also Tanner’s _Biblioth._ p. 675. ed. 1748.—“I take it, that Skelton was not only Rector, but a Native of this Place [Diss], being son of William Skelton, and Margaret his Wife, whose Will was proved at Norwich, Nov. 7, 1512 [Regr. Johnson].” Blomefield’s _Hist. of Norfolk_, i. 20. ed. 1739. Through the active kindness of Mr. Amyot, I have received a copy of the Will of William Skelton (or Shelton), who, though perhaps a relation, was surely not the father of the poet; for in this full and explicit document the name of _John_ Skelton does not once occur.—From an entry which will be afterwards cited, it would seem that the Christian name of Skelton’s mother was Johanna.—In Skelton’s Latin lines on the city of Norwich (see vol. i. 174) we find, “Ah decus, ah _patriæ_ specie pulcherrima dudum! Urbs Norvicensis,” &c. Does “_patriæ_” mean his native county? [17] “Having been educated in this university, as Joh. Baleus attests.” Wood’s _Ath. Oxon._ i. 50. ed. Bliss. Wood’s reference in the note is “In lib. _De Scriptoribus Anglicis_, MS. inter cod. MSS. Selden, in bib. Bodl. p. 69 b.” The printed copy of Bale’s work contains no mention of the place of Skelton’s education. Part of Bale’s information concerning Skelton, as appears from the still extant MS. collections for his _Script. Illust. Brit._, was received “Ex Guilhelmo Horman,” the author of the _Vulgaria_.—See also Tanner’s _Biblioth._ p. 675. ed. 1748.—Warton says that Skelton “studied in both our universities.” _Hist. of E. P._ ii. 336. ed. 4to. [18] _A Replycacion_, &c. vol. i. 207. [19] “Wood reckons him of Ox. on the author. of Bale in a MS. in the Bodleian Libr., but with much better reason he may be called ours; for I find one Scheklton M.A. in the year 1484, at which time allowing him to be 24 years of age, he must be at his death A.D. 1529, 68 or 69 years old, which ’tis probable he might be. v. Bale 653.” Cole’s _Collections_,—_Add. MSS._ (Brit. Mus.) 5880, p. 199.