Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Howes, Edmund
HOWES, EDMUND (fl. 1607–1631), chronicler, lived in London, and designated himself 'gentleman.' Undeterred by Stow's neglect, and despite the ridicule of his acquaintances, he applied himself on Stow's death in 1605 to continuations of Stow's 'Abridgement' and of his 'Annales.' The former he undertook, after discovering (he tells us) that no one else was likely to perform it. Howes's first edition of Stow's 'Abridgement, or Summarie of the English Chronicle,' appeared in 1607. A dedication to Sir Henry Rowe, the lord mayor, a few notices of 'sundry memorable antiquities,' and a continuation of `maters forrein and domesticall' between 1603 and 1607, constitute Howes's contributions. In 1611 Howes issued another edition of the same work, with a further continuation to the end of 1610, and a new dedication addressed to Sir William Craven, lord mayor.
Howes issued in 1615 an expanded version of Stow's well-known 'Annales or Chronicle,' with `an historicall preface,' and a continuation from 1600, the date of the last edition, to 1615. According to Howes's own account Archbishop Whitgift had suggested this task to him, and he received little encouragement while engaged on it (Stow, Annales, 1631, ded.) In 1631 he published his final edition of the 'Annales,' with a dedication to Charles I, and a concluding address to the lord mayor and aldermen of London. Howes lays much stress on his love of truth, and the difficulties caused him in his labours by 'venomous tongues.' In a letter to Nicholas, dated 23 Dec. 1630, he refers to the passage of his work through the press, and mentions Sir Robert Pye as a friend (Cal. State Papers, Dom. 1629-31, p.416). The 1631 edition of the 'Annales' is the most valuable of all, and Howes's additions are not the least interesting part of it.
[Notes and Queries, 1st ser. vi. 199; Howes's prefaces and dedications.]