Lodowick Carlell
Lodowick Carlell was a Scottish courtier and playwright born in 1602, known for his connections to the royal court of King James I of Great Britain. His family, although not noble, had ties to the aristocracy and claimed descent from historical figures, enhancing their social standing. Carlell was introduced to King James around 1617, benefiting from familial connections and support at court. He spent his early years surrounded by influential figures, which fostered his intellectual development despite not attending university.
Carlell's theatrical contributions included "The Tragedy of Osmond the Great Turk," performed at court in 1622, and "The Deserving Favorite," published in 1629, both of which showcased themes of courtly love and featured elaborate settings designed by the architect Inigo Jones. His work was well-received by Queen Henrietta Maria, who became a significant supporter. Throughout his life, Carlell held various positions at court, including groom of the Privy Chamber and keeper of the hounds.
Despite the political turmoil during Oliver Cromwell's regime, he retained his position and continued to support the royal cause. After the monarchy's restoration in 1660, Carlell was granted a pension, though he faced challenges in receiving full payments. He lived out his later years in a royal lodge until his death around 1675, leaving behind a legacy intertwined with the royal history of his time.
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Subject Terms
Lodowick Carlell
Writer
- Born: 1602
- Birthplace: Brydekirk in Dumfriesshire, Scotland
- Died: Buried on August 21, 1675
- Place of death: St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Middlesex, England
Biography
Lodowick Carlell was named after his godfather, Lodowick Stuart, Duke of Lennox and Richmond, who is thought to have helped him ingratiate himself with the court of King James I of Great Britain. Carlell’s initial contact with King James presumably occurred in 1617, when the king visited Dumfriesshire, Scotland, and was entertained by Carlell’s maternal relatives. Carlell’s parents were early associated with court. His father, Herbert Carlell (variously spelled Carlile, Callisle, Carlyle, and Carliell), who was warden of his district, bred hounds for King James IV of Scotland, later King James I..
When Lodowick Carlell was born in 1602, Herbert and his wife, Margaret Cunningham Carlell, lived at Byrdekirk in Dumfriesshire on the Scottish side of Scotland’s western border with England. The Carlell family, although not noble, had connections with the nobility. It claimed direct lineage to King Dunstan, who was murdered by Macbeth in 1039. Victorian author Thomas Carlyle, born in 1795, was descended from Carlell’s family.
Carlell spent his adolescent years at court. Although he did not attend a university, he was surrounded by challenging people who helped him grew intellectually. It is known that in 1621, when Carlell applied to assume the wardenship of a young man, his application was supported by King James. His play, The Tragedy of Osmond the Great Turk, focusing on the fall of Constantinople to the Turks, was performed in court in 1622.
In 1626, Carlell married Joan Palmer. Three years later, he published The Deserving Favorite, a play dealing with courtly love, a subject to which he returned frequently in his subsequent writing. Such plays delighted Queen Henrietta Maria, a staunch champion of Carlell’s work. His plays featured isolated settings, some designed by famed architectInigo Jones.
Carlell regularly received support from the royal family. He was employed as a groom of the Privy Chamber in 1630, as master of the bows in the following year, and as keeper of the hounds from 1631 to 1633. In 1636, he became one of two keepers of the Royal Deer Park at Richmond and was given a lodge there. Trouble was brewing in England, however, with Oliver Cromwell’s revolution that led to the fall of King Charles I. Carlell contributed substantially to supporting the royal cause. After the king was deposed, Carlell was permitted to retain his position and dwelling.
With the restoration of the royal family in 1660, the court granted Carlell two hundred pounds annually, although full payment was never made. He continued to live in the lodge he had been given. In 1671, he turned over ownership of his lodge and of his property in Scotland to his nephew. Four years later, he died. Although the exact date of his death is unknown, he was buried in Petersham on August 21, 1675, beside his son James, who died in 1668. His wife was buried beside him when she died in 1678.