Lily’s Grammar

William Lily was an English scholar and grammarian in the 15th and 16th centuries, recognized as a pioneer of Greek learning in England. He is best known as one of the authors of a highly influential Latin grammar. This grammar, initially published around 1540, was a compilation of Lily's earlier works and was later mandated for use in all English grammar schools by King Henry VIII and Edward VI, earning it the name "King's Grammar". Despite its widespread use, the grammar was criticized for providing rules in Latin rather than English, leading to the addition of English translations in later editions. This grammar, with revisions, remained in use until the 19th century.1