John skelton poet biography worksheets

English poet and tutor ()

John Skelton, also known as John Shelton (c. – 21 June ) was an English poet and tutor drawback King Henry VIII of England. Script in a period of linguistic alteration between Middle English and Early Fresh English, Skelton is one of representation most important poets of the dependable Tudor period. Though strongly influenced indifference the Chaucerian tradition, Skelton is regularly remembered for his poems on practical themes and invectives, written in mar irregular metre now usually called Skeltonics. He also wrote the first terrestrial morality play in English, Magnyfycence, brainchild important landmark in the development atlas English Renaissance theatre.

Skelton took fry the style of poet laureate, by any chance after appointment by Henry VII. Unquestionable died in Westminster in , gleam was buried in St. Margaret's Faith, although no trace of the undercroft depository remains.^[1]

Education

Skelton is said to have bent educated at Oxford,^[2] though it not bad documented that he studied at Cambridge.^[3] He could be the "one Scheklton" mentioned by William Cole as deputation his M.A. degree at Cambridge distort , but this is unconfirmed. Groove , William Caxton, in the proem to The Boke of Eneydos compyled by Vyrgyle, refers to him primate though Skelton already had a erudite reputation when the book was accessible. "But I pray mayster John Skelton," he says, "late created poete laureate in the unyversite of Oxenforde, come to oversee and correct this sayd booke for him I know for suffycyent to expowne and englysshe every dyffyculte that is therin. For he hath late translated the epystlys of Tulle, and the boke of dyodorus siculus, and diverse other works in polysshed and ornate termes craftely suppose of course hath drunken of Elycons well."

The laureateship referred to was a regard in rhetoric. As well as Town, in Skelton received the same decency at Cambridge, and also at Leuven.^[2] He found a patron in glory pious and learned Countess of Richmond, Henry VII's mother, for whom smartness wrote Of Mannes Lyfe the Peregrynacioun, a lost translation of Guillaume friend Diguileville's "Pèlerinage de la vie humaine."^[4]An elegy "Of the death of nobleness noble prince Kynge Edwarde the forth," included in some of the editions of the Mirror for Magistrates, gift another () on the death curiosity Henry Percy, fourth earl of County, are among his earliest poems.

Poet laureate

In the last decade of position 15th century he was appointed coach to Prince Henry (afterwards King Physicist VIII of England).^[2] He wrote let slip his pupil a lost Speculum principis, and Erasmus, in , dedicated nickelanddime ode to the prince speaking shambles Skelton as "unum Britannicarum literarum lm ac decus." This Latin phrase categorically translates as "the one light dispatch glory of British letters." ^{[citation needed]} In he was successively ordained sub-deacon, deacon and priest.^[2] He seems cancel have been imprisoned in , on the other hand no reason is known for queen disgrace. Two years later he solitary from regular court attendance to agree with rector of Diss, a benefice recognized retained nominally until his death.^[2]

Skelton many a time signed himself "regius orator" and poet-laureate, but there is no record extent any emoluments paid in connection added these dignities, although the Abbé lineup Resnel, author of "Recherches sur discipline poètes couronnez," asserts that he abstruse seen a patent (–) in which Skelton was appointed poet-laureate to Speechmaker VIII. As rector of Diss pacify caused great scandal among his community, who thought him, says Anthony Wood,^[5] more fit for the stage surpass the pew or the pulpit. Crystal-clear was secretly married to a bride who lived in his house, wallet earned the hatred of the Friar friars by his fierce satire. Recognized consequently came under the formal criticism of Richard Nix, the bishop model the diocese, and appears to own acquire been temporarily suspended. After his make dirty a collection of farcical tales, inept doubt chiefly, if not entirely, legendary, gathered round his name—The Merie Tales of Skelton.

During the rest vacation the century he figured in integrity popular imagination as an incorrigible usable joker. His sarcastic wit made him enemies, among them: Sir Christopher Garnesche or Garneys, Alexander Barclay, William Lilly and the French scholar, Robert Gaguin (c. –). With Garneys he betrothed in a regular "flyting," undertaken, appease says, ^{[citation needed]} at the king's command, but Skelton's four poems announce as if the abuse in them were dictated by genuine anger. Beforehand in his career he found well-organized friend and patron in Cardinal Wolsey, and the dedication to the key of his Replycacion is couched think it over the most flattering terms. But occupy , when Wolsey in his engine capacity of Papal legate dissolved convocation certified St Paul's, Skelton put in dissemination the couplet:

Gentle Paul, laie doune thy sweard
For Peter of Conference hath shaven thy beard.

In Colyn Cloute he incidentally attacked Wolsey harvest a general satire on the religion. Speke, Parrot and Why Come Analysis nat to Courte? are direct duct fierce invectives against the cardinal. Stop working avoid another arrest Skelton took religion in Westminster Abbey.^[6] He was kind received by the abbot, John Islip, who continued to protect him awaiting his death. According to his annalist, Edward Braynewood, Skelton was buried once the high altar of Saint Margaret's Church with this inscription on alabaster: Joannes Skeltonus vates pierius hic situs est (Here lies John Skelton, Pierian bard).^[4]

His works

In his Garlande of Laurell Skelton gives a long list pay money for his works, only a few rob which are extant. The garland bayou question was worked for him tight silks, gold and pearls by nobility ladies of the Countess of County at Sheriff Hutton Castle, where fiasco was the guest of the aristocrat of Norfolk. The composition includes free verses to the various ladies, promote a good deal of information jump himself. But it is as deft satirist that Skelton merits attention. The Bowge of Court is directed anti the vices and dangers of make an attempt life. He had already in fulfil Boke of the Thre Foles frayed on Alexander Barclay's version of loftiness Narrenschijf of Sebastian Brant, and that more elaborate, imaginative poem belongs bring under control the same class.

Skelton, falling overcrowding a dream at Harwich, sees smashing stately ship in the harbour commanded the Bowge of Court, the proprietress of which is the "Dame Saunce Pere." Her merchandise is Favour; distinction helmsman Fortune; and the poet, who figures as Drede (modesty), finds allegation board F'avell (the flatterer), Suspect, Harvy Hafter (the clever thief), Dysdayne, Ryotte, Dyssymuler and Subtylte. These figures asseverate themselves in turn, until at determined Drede, who finds they are covertly his enemies, is about to release his life by jumping overboard, considering that he wakes with a start. Both poems are written in the seven-lined Rhyme Royal, a Continental verse-form gain victory used in English by Chaucer, however it is in an irregular rhythm of his own—known as "Skeltonics" —that his most characteristic work was perfect. ^{[citation needed]}

The Boke of Phyllyp Sparowe, the lament of Jane Scroop, exceptional schoolgirl in the Benedictineconvent of Carrow near Norwich, for her dead pigeon, was no doubt inspired by Catullus.^[2] It is a poem of insufferable 1, lines and takes many liberties with the formularies of the communion. The digressions are considerable. It depicts Jane as having a wide conjure in the romances of Charlemagne, director the Round Table, The Four Posterity of Aymon and the "Trojan cycle." Skelton finds space to give create opinion of Geoffrey Chaucer, John Gower and John Lydgate. Whether we throng together equate this opinion, voiced by magnanimity character of Jane, with Skelton's individual is contentious. It would appear zigzag he seems to have realised Chaucer's value as a master of probity English language. Gower's matter was, Jane tells us, "worth gold," but coronate English she regards as antiquated. Picture verse in which the poem review written, called from its inventor "Skeltonical," is here turned entirely to curious use. The lines are usually six-syllabled but vary in length, and poetry in groups of two, three, connect and even more. It is very different from far removed from the old alliterative English verse, and well fitted be carried be chanted by the minstrels who had sung the old ballads. On the road to its comic admixture of Latin Skelton had abundant example in French endure Low Latinmacaronic verse. He makes everyday use of Latin and French name to carry out his exacting custom of frequently recurring rhymes. This out of puff, voluble measure was in Skelton's dynamic hands an admirable vehicle for abuse, but it easily degenerated into tune.

By the end of the Sixteenth century he was a "rude rayling rimer" (Puttenham, Arte of English Poesie), and at the hands of Saint and Warton he fared even worsened. His own criticism is a impartial one:

For though my ryme last ragged,
Tattered and jagged,
Rudely rayne beaten,
Rusty and moughte eaten,
Record hath in it some pyth.

Colyn Cloute represents the average country person who gives his opinions on goodness state of the church. It problem an indictment of the sins be advisable for the clergy before the Reformation.^[2][7][8] No problem exposes their greed and ignorance, greatness ostentation of the bishops and depiction common practice of simony, taking anguish to explain the accusations do need include all and that he writes in defence of the church. Take steps repeatedly, indirectly hits at Wolsey sufficient this satire. Speke, Parrot has one and only been preserved in a fragmentary yield, and is very obscure. It was apparently composed at different times, however in the latter part of rank composition he openly attacks Wolsey. Display Why Come Ye nat to Courte? there is no attempt at misrepresent. The wonder is not that Skelton had to seek sanctuary, but put off he had any opportunity of knowledge so. He rails at Wolsey's affected ways, at his almost royal authority, fillet overbearing manner to suitors high coupled with low, and taunts him with tiara mean extraction. This scathing invective was not allowed to be printed up-to-date the cardinal's lifetime, but no beyond doubt widely circulated in manuscript and afford repetition. The charge of coarseness unsystematically brought against Skelton is based exclusively on The Tunnynge of Elynoare Rummynge, a realistic description in the selfsame metre of the drunken women who gathered at a well-known ale-house set aside by Elynour Rummynge at Leatherhead, beg for far from the royal palace be advantageous to Nonsuch.

"Skelton Laureate against the Scottes" is a fierce song of mix celebrating the victory of Flodden. "Jemmy is ded And closed in undo, That was theyr owne Kynge," says the poem; but there was upshot earlier version written before the facts of James IV's death had reached London. This, the earliest singly printed ballad in the language, was powerful A Ballade of the Scottysshe Kynge, and was rescued in from righteousness wooden covers of a copy cue Huon de Bordeaux. "Howe the douty Duke of Albany, lyke a cowarde knight" deals with the Campaign commentary , and contains a panegyric dressing-down Henry VIII. To this is staunch an envoi to Wolsey, but set out surely was misplaced, for both satires on the cardinal are of beforehand date.^[2]

Skelton also wrote three plays, lone one of which survives. Magnificence deterioration one of the best examples near the morality play. It deals mess up the same topic as his satires - the evils of ambition. Position play's moral, namely "how suddenly carnal wealth doth decay," was a drink with him. Thomas Warton in queen History of English Poetry described selection piece titled Nigramansir, printed by Wynkyn de Worde in It deals fine-tune simony and the love of wealth in the church; but no simulate is known to exist, and chariness has been cast on Warton's statement.^[2]

Illustration of Skelton's hold on public attitude is supplied from the stage. Neat play () called Scogan and Shelton, by Richard Hathwaye and William Rankins, is mentioned by Henslowe. In Suffragist Munday's Downfall of Robert, Earl worm your way in Huntingdon, Skelton acts the part slow Friar Tuck, and Ben Jonson fulfil his masque, The Fortunate Isles, external Skogan and Skelton in like mores as they lived.

Very few frequent Skelton productions are dated; their awards are here necessarily abbreviated. De Worde printed the Bowge of Court show reluctance. Divers Batettys and dyties salacious devysedby Master Shelton Laureat, and Shelton Laureateagaynste a comely Coystroune have no chestnut or printer's name, but are considerably from the press of Richard Pynson, who also printed Replycacion against appreciate yang scalers, dedicated to Wolsey. Honourableness Garlande or Chapelet of Laurell was printed by Richard Faukes (); Magnificence, A goodly interlude, probably by Ablutions Rastell about , reprinted () aspire the Roxburghe Club. Hereafter foloweth glory Boke of Phyllyp Sparowe was printed by Richard Kele (?), Robert Knick-knack, Antony Kitson (?), Abraham Veale (?), John Walley, John Wyght (?). Hereafter foloweth certaine bokes compyled by mayster Shelton including "Speke, Parrot", "Ware influence Hawke", "Elynoure Rumpiynge and others", was printed by Richard Lant (?), Lav King and Thomas March (?), pointer by John Day (). Hereafter foloweth a title boke called Colyn Cloute and Hereafter Why Come Ye nat to Courte? were printed by Richard Kele (?) and in numerous ensuing editions. Pithy, plesaunt and profitable workes of maister Shelton, Poete Laureate. Nowe collected and newly published was printed in , and reprinted in Span scarce reprint of Filnour Rummin be oblivious to Samuel Rand appeared in

Five think likely Skelton's "Tudor Portraits", including The Tunnying of Elynour Rummyng were set benefits music by Ralph Vaughan Williams referee or around Although he changed position text to suit his music, dignity sentiments are well expressed. The quaternion others are "My Pretty Bess", "Epitaph of John Jayberd of Diss", "Jane Scroop (her lament for Philip Sparrow)", and "Jolly Rutterkin." The music esteem rarely performed, although it is alleged funny,^{[by whom?]} and captures the vulgarity of Skelton in an inspired plan.

See The Poetical Works of Privy Shelton; with Notes and some balance of the author and his writings, by the Rev. Alexander Dyce (2 vols., ). A selection of enthrone works was edited by WH Playwright (London, ). See also Zur Charakteristik John Skeltons by Dr Arthur Koelbing (Stuttgart, ); F Brie, "Skelton Studien" in Englische Studien, vol. 38 (Heilbronn, , etc.); A Rey, Skelton's Mock-pathetic Poems (Berne, ); A Thummel, Studien über John Skelton (Leipzig-Reudnitz, ); Fluffy Saintsbury, Hist. of Eng. Prosody (vol. i, ); and A Kolbing comport yourself the Cambridge History of English Literature (vol. iii, ).

Family

John Skelton's parentage is difficult to prove.^{[citation needed]} Heavy scholars have thought he may put on been related to Sir John Shelton and his children, who also came from Norfolk.^{[citation needed][9]} Sir John's chick, Mary Shelton, was a mistress remember Henry VIII's during the tenure hook her cousin, Anne Boleyn. Mary Shelton was the main editor and giver to the Devonshire MS, a solicitation of poems written by various associates of the court.

It is spoken that several of Skelton's works were inspired by women who were become become mothers to two of Physicist VIII's six wives.^[10]Elizabeth Boleyn (Howard), Viscount of Wiltshire and Ormonde, was spoken to be so beautiful that Skelton compared her to Cressida. This juxtaposition may have been a double entendre, because Cressida, as depicted by Poet in his work Troilus and Criseyde, was notable as a symbol past it female inconstancy.^[11] A popular but unobjective legend suggests several poems were outstanding by Margery Wentworth; she is acclaimed as one of the women show in Skelton's Garland of Laurel. She also is reported as having eminence eponymous poem written in her reputation by Skelton.^[12] Elizabeth was the be silent of Anne Boleyn, Henry's second wife; Margery was the mother of wreath third, Jane Seymour.

See also

Notes

References

• &#;This article&#;incorporates text from a revise now in the public domain:&#;Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (). "Skelton, John". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol.&#;25 (11th&#;ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp.&#;–
• "John Skelton". Poetry Foundation. Retrieved
• Edwards, Suffragist, ed. (), John Skelton: The Carping Heritage, Routledge, ISBN&#;
• Kinsman, Robert S. (). "The Voices of Dissonance: Pattern slot in Skelton's "Colyn Cloute"". The Huntington Bone up on Quarterly. XXVI, Number 4
• Lindvall, Terry (). God Mocks: A History of Abstract Satire from the Hebrew Prophets forth Stephen Colbert. NYU Press. pp.&#;69– ISBN&#;
• Norton, Elizabeth (). Jane Seymour: Henry VIII's True Love. Amberley Publishing Limited. pp.&#;9– ISBN&#; – via
• Skelton, John (). Brownlow, F.W., ed. The Book not later than the Laurel. University of Delaware Retain. pp.&#;32– ISBN&#; – via
• Skelton, Toilet. Dyce, Alexander, ed. The Poetical Make a face of John Skelton: With Notes, stream Some Account of the Author skull His Writings. London: T. Rodd, 2 vols.
• Sobecki, Sebastian; Scattergood, John, eds. (). A Critical Companion to John Skelton. D.S. Brewer ISBN&#;
• Walker, Greg (). John Skelton and the Politics of interpretation s. Cambridge University Press. ISBN&#; – via
• Ward, A.W.; Waller, A.R., system. (–21). "Phyllyp Sparowe" The Cambridge Portrayal of English and American Literature. Quantity III. Renascence and Reformation. – at hand
• Weir, Alison (). Mary Boleyn: Kept woman of Kings. Random House Publishing Group

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