Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dowriche, Anne

1246712Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 15 — Dowriche, Anne1888Sidney Lee ‎

DOWRICHE, ANNE (fl. 1589), poetess, must have been granddaughter of Sir Richard Edgcumbe, and daughter of Peter Edgcumbe, who died in 1607, aged 70. She married, first, the Rev. Hugh Dowriche, probably rector of Honiton, Devonshire, and afterwards Richard Trefusis of Trefusis, Cornwall (Collins, Peerage, v. 328–9). To her is attributed ‘The French Historie: that is, a lamentable Discourse of three of the chiefe and most famous bloodie broiles that have happened in France for the Gospelles of Jesus Christ, namelie: 1. The Outrage called the Winning of S. James his Street, 1557; 2. The Constant Martirdome of Annas Burgaeus, one of the K. Councell, 1559; 3. The Bloodie Marriage of Margaret, Sister to Charles the 9, anno 1572. Published by A. D. (Lond. by T. Orwin for T. Man, 1589).’ The volume is dedicated to ‘Pearse Edgcumbe,’ the author's brother, who died in 1628, and the Edgcumbe arms are at the back of the title-page. It is dated from Honiton. The poem is in long alexandrines. Mr. W. Carew Hazlitt doubtfully ascribes to Anne Dowriche ‘A Frencheman's Songe made upon ye death [of] ye French King who was murdered in his owne court by a traiterouse Fryer of St. Jacob's order, 1 Aug. 1589.’ This was licensed to Edward Allde, the publisher, and is not known to be extant.

Hugh Dowriche is the author of ‘Desmophylax, the Iaylors Conversion. Wherein is lively represented the true Image of a Soule rightlye touched and converted by the Spirit of God,’ London (J. Windet), 1596. The dedication to Valentine Knightly, and the address to the reader, are dated from Honiton, Devonshire, where Dowriche was apparently beneficed. He describes himself as a bachelor of divinity. His wife contributes commendatory verses to the volume.

[Corser's Collectanea Anglo-Poetica; Hazlitt's Bibliographical Collections; Boase and Courtney's Bib. Cornub.]

S. L. L.