Principum

WK, "Principum" is the correct spelling -- in the ode and on the painting.

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

Even Mr. Wells admits that all of this evidence “is circumstantial” at best, which is why it is strange that relatively few people have paid much attention to a rather obvious clue inscribed on the painting: the two Latin words painted across the top in golden letters, followed by an exclamation point: “Principum amicitias!”

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

The root of the word ‘Principum’ implies ‘leading’, ‘first’ or ‘most important’.

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

Even Mr. Wells admits that all of this evidence “is circumstantial” at best, which is why it is strange that relatively few people have paid much attention to a rather obvious clue inscribed on the painting: the two Latin words painted across the top in golden letters, followed by an exclamation point: “Principum amicitias!”

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

I know the purpose of The Lede was to gain some insight into the words, “Principum amicitias!”

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

Principum may be a declension of principis or a pun as suggested by another blogger.

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

Even Mr. Wells admits that all of this evidence “is circumstantial” at best, which is why it is strange that relatively few people have paid much attention to a rather obvious clue inscribed on the painting: the two Latin words painted across the top in golden letters, followed by an exclamation point: “Principum amicitias!”

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

Even Mr. Wells admits that all of this evidence “is circumstantial” at best, which is why it is strange that relatively few people have paid much attention to a rather obvious clue inscribed on the painting: the two Latin words painted across the top in golden letters, followed by an exclamation point: “Principum amicitias!”

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

Principum was the premier designer of haute-couture, intricately made coats, vests and puffy, lacy shirts.

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009

And, while we laugh about it, who knows, perhaps Dan Brown, an Exonian, will have a go at coming up with his own theory on what Principum amicitias means.

Cracking the Shakespeare Code - The Lede Blog - NYTimes.com 2009