Thomas Norton’s Meditation of a Penitent Sinner

Abstract

ABSTRACT Who wrote “A Meditation of a penitent sinner” that was appended to Anne Lock’s translation of Sermons of John Calvin Vpon the Songe that Ezechias made (1560)? Lock (c.1533–90) introduced this poem with the disclaimer that it was “delivered me by my frend with whom I knew I might be so bolde to use and publishe it as pleased me.” Although Lock was not known to have written English verse, professional scholarship attributed the “Meditation” to her with near unanimity until 2017, when Steven W. May argued that Thomas Norton (1532–84) was its likely author. In response, Jake Arthur challenged May’s thesis in 2022, arguing in particular that May’s linguistic methodology was flawed. This article refutes Arthur’s rejoinder by clarifying how the stylistic evidence fits into the larger argument and summarizing the evidence that Norton is beyond reasonable doubt the friend who gave Lock the “Meditation” for her 1560 translation of Calvin.