Charles I's noble academy

This article investigates the noble academy, known as the Musaeum Minervae, established by Sir Francis Kynaston in Covent Garden in 1635–1636. Drawing on a newly discovered manifesto in which Kynaston set out the case for his academy – a transcript of which is provided as an appendix – it analyses the aims behind the project, in the context of earlier English academy schemes, the nature and scope of its activities and the reasons for its collapse. Throughout the academy’s existence, Charles I provided substantial support and took a close interest in its fortunes, treating it as part of a wider project to strengthen the English aristocracy and make them fit servants of his monarchy.