> "The earliest reference to 'Greensleeves' in the Sationers' Register is dated > September 3, 1580, when Richard Jones was licensed to print "A newe northern > Dittye of ye Ladye Greene Sleeves".
but, the stationers company was chartered by her majesty in 1557 as I recall, the registers may begin as late as 1554 and are not useful for negative evidence of what Henry roi may or may not have penned, plus which, to quote his own Pastime 'Who shall me let?", do you really think his work would have been submitted for registry? (Arber, Edward, ed. A Transcript of the Registers of the Company of Stationers of London 15541640 A.D. 5 Volumes, London, privately printed, 187594.) what is proclaimed as 'New' may simply have been newly (re)introduced. Lack of earlier surviving copies or mention of performance is the greater clue, tho it is dangerous to argue from negative evidence. -- Dana Emery To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
