author

Giles Du Wés

d. 1535

A Tudor court teacher and musician, he helped shape how French was learned at the English court. He is best remembered for writing an early French-language manual for the young Lady Mary, later Mary I.

1 Audiobook

An Introductorie for to Lerne to Read, To Pronounce, and to Speke French Trewly

An Introductorie for to Lerne to Read, To Pronounce, and to Speke French Trewly

by Giles Du Wés

About the author

Giles Du Wés, often listed as Giles Duwes, died in 1535 and was a Fleming who built a long career at the Tudor court in England. Sources describe him as a musician, court servant, and language teacher connected with both Henry VII and Henry VIII.

He is known for teaching French to high-ranking royal pupils, including Arthur, Prince of Wales, Prince Henry before he became Henry VIII, and Henry's daughter Mary. He also seems to have had a wider court role: records and reference works describe him as a lutenist, librarian, and keeper of the wardrobe.

His lasting claim to fame is An Introductorie for to lerne to rede, to pronounce and to speke French trewly, a French-learning guide prepared for Lady Mary. That work makes him an appealing figure for readers interested in Tudor education, language learning, and the everyday culture of the royal court.