Gather 'round, everyone! It's the reign of King Charles I (1600-1649), and the greatest poetry slam of the seventeenth century is about to go down. In the blue corner, we have the Puritan parliamentarians, intent on overthrowing Charles and abolishing the monarchy; in the red corner, we have the fun-loving Cavalier poets, ready to fight for sovereignty and uphold the divine right of the King. Who will win? Fight!
Spoiler alert: the Cavaliers lose and Charles I gets executed, but at least there's a lot of great poetry from the era.
Cavalier poets meaning
The Cavalier poets were a group of seventeenth-century English poets that supported Charles I during the English Civil War (1642-1651) and then Charles II during the Restoration (1660-1688).
The English Civil War was a nine-year conflict fought between the supporters of Charles I (the Cavaliers) and the Parliamentarians that opposed him. The war was the result of severe political, economical, religious and cultural disagreements between the king and his Parliament. Charles I believed that he should have the divine right to make any decisions he pleased; the Parliament disagreed. In frustration at Parliament's protests, Charles dissolved Parliament for 11 years.
When Charles was forced to reconvene Parliament in order to secure funds for a war against Scotland, they agreed to provide the money on the condition that Charles could no longer dissolve them without permission. With Charles in a perilous situation, he agreed, but was still extremely frustrated with the ever-increasing demands of his Parliament.
Tensions continue to build until conflict broke out. After a lengthy war, Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), the leader of the parliamentarians, defeated Charles I in battle. Charles was beheaded and the monarchy was abolished, leaving Cromwell to lead the country as the head of a republican governmment.
The Cavalier poets aimed to reflect the court's luxurious values within their work. King Charles loved elegant poetry and was a notable collector of high art. As the cavaliers were in his service, many Cavalier poems were explicitly designed to appease the king's exquisite tastes.
Fig 1. Prince Rupert of the Rhine (1619-1682) is typically described as the stereotypical Cavalier. His long, wavy hair, colourful clothes, elegant frocks, and delicate laces were the fashion of the courts for much of Charles I's reign.
The most well-known Cavalier poets are Sir John Suckling (1609-1642), Thomas Carew (1595-1640), Richard Lovelace (1617-1657), and Robert Herrick (1591-1674). They were primarily influenced by Ben Jonson, a significant poet during the Elizabethan era (1572-1637).
For this reason, the Cavalier poets are often referred to as the 'sons of Ben'
Most Cavalier poets attended the royal courts and knew Charles I personally. However, there are notable exceptions to this. For example, Robert Herrick (1591-1674) was not part of the king's court but wrote in a similar style, meaning he is commonly grouped as a cavalier poet.
Historically, the name 'cavalier' was used to describe a knight or soldier on a horse. However, during the seventeenth century, the term began circulating as an insult to describe the wealthy, loyal supporters of Charles I. At the time, the Cavaliers were mocked for their excessive gallantry, whimsy, and carefree nature. In modern times the Cavaliers are better known for their flamboyant style of dress; bright clothing, laces, collars, and large feathered hats were commonplace in the king's court.
The Cavaliers were also renowned for their long, wavy locks. In contrast, the largely Puritan Parliamentarians kept their hair closely cropped to distinguish themselves from Charles I's supporters. This earned them the nickname 'Roundheads', which was created to insult their 'round heads' (who could have guessed?).
Cavalier poets characteristics
The characteristics of cavalier poetry are well-defined because the poems were created for one sole purpose: to appease the king. For this reason, Charles I's ideas, style and preferences shine through in each stanza.
When (like committed linnets) I
With shriller throat shall sing
The sweetness, Mercy, Majesty,
And glories of my King;
When I shall voice aloud how good
He is, how Great should be,
Enlargèd Winds, that curl the Flood,
Know no such Liberty.
- Richard Lovelace - 'To Althea, From Prison' (1649)
As the title suggests, Lovelace created this poem from a jail cell. He had been imprisoned for presenting a Royalist bill to Parliament, which was rebelling against Charles I at the time. In this extract, Lovelace argues that as long as he can express his adoration and glory for his king, Charles I, his mind will always be as free as a bird.
Cavalier poets typically avoid complex meters and rhyme schemes. In 'To Althea, From Prison', Lovelace uses Common Meter (alternating between iambic tetrameter and iambic trimeter) and follows a simple ABABCDCD rhyme pattern.
Why so dull and mute young sinner?
Prithee why so mute?
Will, when speaking well can’t win her,
Saying nothing do't?
Prithee why so mute?
Quit, quit for shame, this will not move,
This cannot take her;
If of herself she will not love,
Nothing can make her;
The devil take her.
Sir John Suckling - 'Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?' (1637)
In this poem, Suckling speaks to his friend who has been rejected, telling him that he has no chance of winning his love's heart and that continuing to pursue her is a waste of his time. The poem emphasises the attitudes toward 'living in the present' and 'seizing the day' that many Cavaliers held. To the narrator, spending time worrying about things that can't be changed wastes precious time that could be spent pursuing other forms of happiness.
Now you have freely given me leave to love,
What will you do?
Shall I your mirth, or passion move,
When I begin to woo;
Will you torment, or scorn, or love me too?
- Thomas Carew - 'To a Lady that Desired I Would Love Her' (Date unknown)
Carew's poetry reiterates the Cavalier obsession with living in the moment and not being tied down. In this extract, the speaker questions whether his love is going unreciprocated and expresses concern that his devotion will go to waste. He is desperate to figure out whether it is worth his time to pursue the relationship over, especially when there's a possibility that his affection will not be returned.
Cavalier poets vs Metaphysical poets
The seventeenth century also saw the emergence of another distinct group known as the Metaphysical poets.
The Metaphysical poets were a loose collection of poets who explored abstract and philosophical ideas within their work. Their poetry was renowned for its use of wit, irony, and conceit. Famous metaphysical poets include John Donne (1572-1631), Andrew Marvell (1621-1678), George Herbert (1593-1633), and Henry Vaughan (1621-1695).
Fig 2. John Donne is the most famous of the metaphysical poets. He is renowned for his trademark wit, wordplay and intelligent use of metaphor.
Cavalier and Metaphysical poetry is often considered to be stylistically opposite. The Metaphysical poets used elaborate metaphors and intricate wordplay while attempting to answer life's biggest religious and philosophical questions. In contrast, Cavalier poetry was typically secular, simpler, and to the point.
While both styles of poetry were elaborately written, the content of Cavalier poetry was typically more straightforward and uncomplicated. If the Metaphysical poets attempted to create verses with a deeper, more profound meaning, the Cavaliers aimed to show that poetry didn't need to be profound to be pleasing and that its value could be determined purely by its aesthetic beauty.
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