Wikipedia tells me that on the 30th of August, 1594, a masque was held at Stirling Castle to celebrate the baptism of Prince Henry, first son of King James VI of Scotland and Anne of Denmark. The masque (courtly entertainment) was written by William Fowler and Patrick Leslie.
William Fowler was a distinguished Scottish poet, scholar, and courtier, whose intellectual pursuits and political activities intertwined with significant figures of the late Renaissance, including Sir Francis Walsingham and Giordano Bruno. Fowler’s life and work offer a fascinating window into the complex web of espionage, diplomacy, and philosophical discourse during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.
William Fowler was born into a well-established family in Edinburgh. His father served as a prominent member of the Scottish legal community, which afforded Fowler access to an excellent education. He matriculated at the University of St Andrews, where he developed a strong foundation in classical studies, and later pursued further education at the University of Paris. This academic journey exposed him to the vibrant intellectual currents of Renaissance Europe, fostering his profound interest in poetry, philosophy, and languages.
Fowler returned to Scotland, where his literary talents earned him recognition at the court of King James VI. His poetry, rich with classical allusions and stylistic elegance, reflected the influence of continental humanism. Fowler became secretary to Queen Anne of Denmark, consort to James VI, a role that not only elevated his status but also positioned him at the nexus of political and diplomatic activities in Scotland.
Sir Francis Walsingham, known as Queen Elizabeth I’s spymaster, orchestrated an extensive intelligence network that spanned Europe. Fowlers connections to Walsingham probably stemmed from his involvement in court affairs and his travels across the Continent. Though direct evidence of Fowler’s formal role in espionage is limited, scholars suggest that he may have served as an informant or intermediary, leveraging his literary and diplomatic engagements for intelligence purposes.
Fowlers proximity to influential figures in both Scotland and England would have made him a valuable asset to Walsingham. Their connection reflects the broader context of Elizabethan espionage, where poets, scholars, and courtiers often doubled as informants, gathering intelligence under the guise of cultural and diplomatic missions.
Giordano Bruno, the Italian philosopher, cosmologist, and erstwhile Dominican friar, was renowned for his radical ideas, including the concept of an infinite universe and the plurality of worlds. Brunos unorthodox views and his itinerant lifestyle brought him into contact with various European intellectual circles, including those in England and Scotland.
Fowler and Bruno’s paths crossed during Bruno’s visit to the British Isles. In 1583, Bruno accompanied the French ambassador Michel de Castelnau to England, where he engaged with scholars and courtiers interested in his philosophical ideas. Fowler, a figure immersed in the intellectual milieu of the time, probably encountered Bruno through these circles. Their interaction would have been characterised by vigorous discussions on philosophy, cosmology, and perhaps even the political-religious tensions that defined the era.
Brunos connections to Walsingham further complicate the narrative. Some historians posit that Bruno may have engaged in espionage activities, providing intelligence under the cover of his philosophical peregrinations. If Fowler indeed collaborated with Walsingham, his association with Bruno might have served dual purposes: intellectual camaraderie and covert intelligence gathering.
Fowlers life encapsulates the intricate interplay between art, politics, and espionage in the Renaissance. His literary contributions enriched Scottish culture, while his potential involvement in intelligence activities highlights the often-overlooked roles that poets and scholars played in the geopolitical machinations of their time.
Talking about intricate interplay, there are four points of contact between William Fowler and the Sir Anthony Standen Adventures. Walsingham was Standen’s spymaster and provided him with detailed intelligence of the Spanish Armada. The execution of Giordano Bruno was the inspiration for Fire and Earth, the second book in the series. King James had Standen sent to the Tower of London charged with treason, and Prince Henry gets a mention in my work in progress, The Favourite Murder.