in 1539–40, grimald graduated from christ's college with a b.a.. grimald travelled to oxford a year later, when the prebendary of leighton bromswold gilbert smith, a family friend, was impressed by his work. in his first few years in oxford, grimald attended brasenose college. when grimald was unable to continue his school work because he lacked his books, his first drama was written. grimald received encouragement from the matthew smith, the president of the school, along with other teachers and students who were eager to participate in the arts. the play was the latin resurrection play "christus redivivus". grimald dedicated his work to smith. it was written in 1541, but was published two years later in germany in 1543.