CHAPTER I

FRENCH AT THE COURTS OF JAMES I. AND CHARLES I.--FRENCH STUDIED BY THE LADIES--FRENCH PLAYERS IN LONDON--ENGLISH GENERALLY IGNORED BY FOREIGNERS 259

The French language in England in the time of the early Stuarts--In the royal family--French tutors--John Florio--Guy Le Moyne--Massonet--Sir Robert Le Grys--French among the ladies--Erondelle's _French Garden_ for English ladies--His dialogues--His career as a teacher--His earlier works--The French Queen of England--French plays in London--The English language neglected by foreigners--English literature ignored in France--English players abroad--The study of English--English grammars for foreigners in England--French teachers and merchants further the study of English--Provision for teaching English in the Netherlands and in France.