Who was Ben Jonson? He was not "John Benson."
Some five summers ago, a Dutch student arrived from Java to finish her literary education at University College,London. Before term began she thought it well to visit Stratford-on-Avon for Shakespeare, and Banbury for Ben Jonson, and his Banbury cakes. These he had referred to, she had found, in his celebrated comedy, Bartholomew Fair," in which play he satirizes the Puritans.
She arrived and sought out the Original Cake Shop. This she found and entering the old-world Tudor shop "Might she see John Benson's room?" she asked in broken English, and she was duly shown the wonderful low ceiled dining room, with its heavy oak beams and inglenook panelling, and the original ovens of what had been Ben Jonson's bakehouse for those original Banbury Cakes.
There is no doubt whatever but that Ben Jonson called here to see the master of the bakehouse, and that he "discussed" a Banbury Cake in more ways than one. This was in late 16th or early 17th Century. But first of all, for the sake of our argument, who was Ben Jonson?
He was one of England's most celebrated poets and dramatists. He was born in London in the year 1573, and died in 1637. He was the son of a clergyman, but born after the death of his father. His mother married a bricklayer as her second husband, and little Ben was taken from school by his step-father to work at his own trade. The sensitive, intelligent child, born of cultured parentage, revolted at this, detested job, and ran away as soon as he was old enough to join the Army as a private soldier. He was sent to Holland when trained, and served bravely in the campaign of that date. All this time he was not neglecting his gifts, his studies, his self-education and development. Returning home from wars, he began to earn his bread as an author and as an actor. Duelling was the vogue in those days, to right injuries, to redeem insults. Jonson got mixed up in one of these, duelled with a brother actor, and killed him. This meant imprisonment for Ben Jonson. and he narrowly escaped execution. At twenty-four he published his famous play, "Every Man in His Humour," and after that produced one every year. He soon gained Royal favour, and practically became what we should call Poet Laureate. From this moment journeyings on the Continent followed, honorary degrees from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, until his health broke down. Medicine not being what it is in our time, he died of palsy and is buried in Westminster Abbey with this highest tribute, for an epitaph, "O Rare Ben Jonson."
Banbury Fair for centuries has been one of the most noted in England. Sheep came from as far as Westmoreland and Yorkshire for the exchanging of breeds. Cattle were driven by easy stages along our drove roads through county after county to arrive at Banbury Fair, or Banbury market. And there can be no doubt but that Ben Jonson came to see for himself the fame of Banbury Fair. Afterwards he brought out his famous comedy "Bartholomew Fair." Those who know Banbury have only to change the first word to Banbury to feel at home. This was in the year 1614.
Here is a passage:
Winwife --- A brother of Banbury.
Quarlous---What do you call him?
Littlewit---Rabbi Busy, Sir; he is more than elder, he is a prophet Sir.
Quarlous---O I know him! a baker is he not?
Littlewit---He was a baker, sir, but he does dream now and he see visions.
Quarlous---I remember that, too, out of a scruple he took that, in spiced conscience, those cakes he made were served to bridals, may-poles, morrises and such profane feasts and meetings. His Christian name is Zeal-of-the-land.
Littlewit---Yes Sir, Zeal-of-the-Land Busy.
Now the owner and baker of that time, of the Original Banbury Cake Shop, was one Richard Busby; you only have to take out the "b" and there you are! Ben Jonson must certainly have had this individual in his eye when he wrote "Zeal-of-the-Land Busy." He must surely have visited Banbury Fair personally, and sat in some inglenook, interviewing Good Richard Busby and discussing a Banbury cake, "Bartholomew Fair" followed hard after.
There is profound philosophy in his dramas as well as plenty of humour. It is the opinion of those who know that some of his verse also, and songs, are for all time.
Ben Jonson ranks with Shakespeare. In spite of his poverty and his hard youth, he was one of England's most learned men and literary giants, and though not "John Benson" he enjoyed a Banbury cake.
