Robert Southey

‘On my return here, I found, to my no small surprise, a letter tendering to me the laurel vacant by the death of the poetical Pye. I have declined the appointment.... Will you forgive me, my friend, if I own I had you in my recollection? I have given Croker the hint, and otherwise endeavored to throw the office into your option. I am uncertain if you will like it, for the laurel has certainly been tarnished by some of its wearers, and, as at present managed, its duties are inconvenient and somewhat liable to ridicule. But the latter might be amended, as I think the Regent's good sense would lead him to lay aside these regular commemorations; and as to the former point, it has been worn by Dryden of old, and by Warton in modern days.’

The text above comes from a letter Walter Scott wrote to Robert Southey (September 4, 1813). Scott recommended Southey for the honor of Poet Laureate for Britain.  Southey held the post form 1813 to 1843.  Robert Southey died on March 21^st, 1843.

John Skelton

Walter Scott shares at least one thing in common with today's subject - John Skelton.  Both were offered the Poet Laureateship.  Scott refused, recommending Robert Southey, who became Poet Laureate in 1813.  Skelton became Poet Laureate in 1513 or 1514.  Skelton tutored the future Henry VIII while he was a prince, becoming Poet Laureate during his reign.  Skelton managed to keep his head, dying on June 21, 1529, at nearly 70 years of age.

Skelton wrote sometimes of women who inspired him, including the mother of Jane Seymour:

To Mistress Margery Wentworth

WITH margerain gentle,

The flower of goodlihead,

Embroidered the mantle

Is of your maidenhead.

Plainly I cannot glose;

Ye be, as I divine,

The pretty primrose,

The goodly columbine.

Benign, courteous, and meek,

With wordes well devised;

In you, who list to seek,

Be virtues well comprised.

With margerain gentle,

The flower of goodlihead,

Embroidered the mantle

Is of your maidenhead.