SOURCE: Winser, Leigh. “‘The Garlande of Laurell’: Masque Spectacular.” Criticism 19, No. 1 (Winter 1977): 51-69.

In the following essay, Winser claims that The Garland of Laurel is the “narrative account of a complex entertainment” intended for performance at a Christmas festival.

Deep within the heart of the action in The Garlande of Laurell at a bright moment when the laurel tree itself is raised in view on a magnificent pageant, Skelton translates from The Aeneid:

And Jopas his instrument dyd auaunce The poemes and stories auncient in brynges Of Athlas astrology, and many noble thynges Of wandryng of the mone the course of the son Of men and of bestes, and whereof they begone.(1) 

When Virgil's Jopas played the lyre at Carthage, “the noise of banquet [had] ceased” in the royal palace, “the board [had been] cleared,” and “great bowls [of] wine” had been set before the guests. “Blazing cressets...