Henry Constable, Poet and Courtier, 1562 – 1613

Abstract

A typical product of his class and generation, courtier, poet and man of learning, Henry Constable appeared to be well on the way to a successful career at Elizabeth's court when he decided (to use the words of a contemporary account) to lose all his heritage in order to save his soul. Part of that heritage was a vigorous Protestant patriotism which manifested itself, in his early years. More patriotic than Protestant perhaps, though it was precisely his interest in religion which led him to make his heavy decision. As for his patriotism, it remained undimmed in his later years but emerged in the form of an idealistic allegiance to a greater cause. He spent the rest of his days, in exile for the most part, in a variety of undertakings which reveal a single-minded dedication to the conversion of his country.