Diana Primrose
Diana Primrose is a largely enigmatic figure from the seventeenth century in England, best known for her poem *A Chaine of Pearle: Or, A Memoriall of the Peerles Graces, and Heroick Vertues of Queene Elizabeth*, which was published in 1630. The poem serves as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth I, celebrating her virtues such as religion, chastity, and fortitude, while also implicitly critiquing King Charles I by highlighting the stark differences between his reign and that of Elizabeth. Scholars have debated the identity of Diana Primrose, with some suggesting she may have been a pseudonym for Lady Anne Clifford or possibly the wife of cleric Gilbert Primrose. The historical context and references within the poem indicate that it may have been composed shortly after Elizabeth's death in 1603, rather than in its publication year. This work is significant not only for its literary merit but also as a reflection of the societal perceptions of gender and power during that era, making it a focal point for feminist scholarship. While the true identity of Diana Primrose remains uncertain, her poem provides valuable insight into the court dynamics of early seventeenth-century England and the legacy of Elizabeth I.
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Diana Primrose
Poet
- Born: fl. 1630
- Birthplace:
- Died:
- Place of death:
Biography
Diana Primrose lived in England during the seventeenth century, although very little is known of her life. Indeed, it is possible that Diana Primrose a pseudonym for the person who wrote A Chaine of Pearle: Or, A Memoriall of the Peerles Graces, and Heroick Vertues of Queene Elizabeth, of Glorious Memory, Composed by the Noble Lady, Diana Primrose (1630). What can be gleaned about the writer of this poem comes from the poem itself and additional historical research.
A Chaine of Pearle is a poem about Queen Elizabeth I, published some years after the monarch’s death. The date of composition is not clear, however. The opening verses of the poem refer to Elizabeth as “The Empresse of our Sex,” implying that the writer of the verses is a woman.
Some scholars have suggested that Diana Primrose was a name used by Lady Anne Clifford, but there are a few documents to support this. Clifford lived from 1590 to 1676, and the content of the poem, as well as its margin notes, suggest that the poem was written shortly after Elizabeth’s death in 1603, rather than in 1630, the year it was published. The poem also refers to a court scandal that occurred early in the reign of King James I, suggesting that the poem was written by someone who was intimate with the court.
There are other scholars who argue that Diana Primrose was the wife of cleric Gilbert Primrose, a Protestant minister who lived from 1580 to 1642. However, the evidence linking Diana Primrose to Gilbert Primrose is very slim.
The poem itself praises the heroic virtues of Elizabeth I. With its publication in 1630, there is some indication that while the original intention of the writer was to praise Elizabeth, the poem ultimately was published as a scathing criticism of King Charles I. The “pearls” Primrose names in praise of Elizabeth include religion, chastity, prudence, temperance, fortitude, patience, and bounty. These virtues were conventional terms applied to Elizabeth. However, using these terms during the reign of Charles I would call attention to how different Charles was from Elizabeth and could thus be construed as negative criticism. Indeed, the contrast between Elizabeth and Charles was marked.
The poem A Chaine of Pearle is a significant work, one that offers real insight into the court of James I and into the public perception of Elizabeth in the years just after her death. In addition, the poem also demonstrates the vast difference between the court of Charles I and Elizabeth I. Finally, the poem is important because a woman wrote it, albeit one who may or may not have been called Diana Primrose. As such, it offers rich ground for scholarly work by feminist critics.