Capgrave

Capgrave, JOHN, chronicler and theologian, was born at Lynn in 1393. He studied some time at a university, most probably Cambridge, and was ordained priest about 1418. He early entered the order of Augustine Friars at Lynn, and he ultimately became provincial of his order in England; at Lynn he died in 1464. Capgrave was an industrious writer. His works include, in Latin, commentaries on many of the books of the Bible, sermons, various edifying and expository treatises; Nova legenda Angliæ (printed by Wynkyn de Worde in 1516), De illustribus Henricis, giving the lives of six emperors of Germany, six kings of England, and twelve famous men, all of the name of Henry; and Vita Humfredi Ducis Gloucestrie, a life of his patron, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester. Among his English works are a metrical Life of St Katherine (ed. by Horstmann, 1893) and A Chronicle of England from the Creation to A.D. 1417. The last and the De illustribus Henricis were edited by F. C. Hingeston for the 'Rolls Series' in 1858.