The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
Volume III. Renascence and Reformation.
§ 9. Martin Senior
The imaginative setting of the Theses Martinianae is continued in Martin Senior or The just censure and reproofe, which came forth a week later. Martin Senior is the eldest son of “Martin the Great” and is, seemingly, very indignant at his stripling brother’s rashness and impertinence in printing his father’s theses. After a little introductory playfulness in this vein, the tract goes on to give “an oration of John Canturburie to the pursuivants when he directeth his warrants to them to post after Martin,” which is reminiscent of A Commission sente to the Pope and, at the same time, anticipates the method of the Satyre Ménippée. In addition to this, we have “eleven points,” with a solemn diatribe, against episcopacy, a reference to the “slackness of the Puritans,” a proposal to present a petition to the queen and privy council, and, lastly, an answer to the anti-Martinist rimes in Mar-Martine, doggerel for doggerel.