William Habington
William Habington was an English poet, dramatist, and essayist born on November 4, 1605, in Worcestershire. He came from a notable Catholic family with a rich historical background, including relatives who were involved in political intrigues during the reigns of Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I. Educated at St. Omer's, Habington later moved to Paris, where he continued his studies. In 1632, he married Lucy Herbert, which inspired his first significant work, the poetry collection *Castara*, published anonymously in 1634. This volume, which celebrated chaste love and included lyrical poems addressed to his wife, established him among the Cavalier Poets, a group recognized for their support of King Charles I.
In addition to his poetry, Habington wrote the tragicomedy *The Queen of Arragon* and *The Historie of Edward the Fourth*, both published in 1640. His works often reflected his independence of thought and were marked by a notable decency of language, as observed by literary critics. Habington's contributions to literature also include essays on modern historical events, showcasing his engagement with both literary and political issues of his time. He passed away on November 30, 1654, leaving behind a legacy valued for its skillful and melodic verse.
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William Habington
Poet
- Born: November 4, 1605
- Birthplace: Hindlip Hall, Worcestershire, England
- Died: November 30, 1654
Biography
William Habington was born on November 4, 1605, at Hindlip Hall, in Worcestershire, England. His was a well-known Catholic family. Thomas Habington, his father, was an antiquary and historical scholar who was implicated in plots on behalf of Mary Queen of Scots. Edward Habington, his uncle, was charged with conspiring against Elizabeth I, and he was hanged in 1586. Mary Habington, his mother, allegedly revealed the Gunpowder Plot.
Young William Habington was sent to college at St. Omer’s. It has been suggested that the pressure that was placed upon him there to become a Jesuit resulted in his moving to Paris to continue his education. In or around 1632, he married Lucy, the second daughter of Sir William Herbert, first Baron Powys. The series of lyrical poems addressed mainly to his wife and published anonymously in 1634 fills his first well-known volume of poetry, Castara. In this volume that celebrates his “Lucia,” he may still be heard to sing the praises of chaste love. In his expanded second edition of Castara, published in 1635, are fourteen new lyrics and eight elegies to his friend and kinsman George Talbot. Ben Jonson is another friend addressed in this volume. In the third edition, published in 1640, appear twenty-two devotional poems and the prose rendering of “A Holy Man.”
History places William Habington among the group of writers known as the Cavalier Poets, who were loyal to Charles I. It seems only fitting that some such record should exist for a gentleman of a background so rich in history. Among the Cavalier poets are such noted figures as Thomas Carew, Sir John Suckling, and Richard Lovelace. While he is not so well-known as these or as John Donne, who is said to have had an influence on him and other Caroline poets, his verse, it is agreed, is skillful and melodious; and some passages possess a real beauty.
In addition to his poetry, William Habington is author of a tragicomedy The Queen of Arragon, which was published in 1640—without his consent—by his kinsman the Earl of Pembroke, and a The Historie of Edward the Fourth, King of England, published in the same year. The Queen of Arragon, said to be remarkable more for what it shows of the poet’s independence of mind on certain social and political questions than for its dramatic quality, was acted at Court and revived after the Restoration.
The Historie is thought to have been both written and published at the request of King Charles I. His six essays on events in modern history were published as Observations upon History in 1641. These Observations, he says, are of such events as “impressed me in the reading and make the imagination stand amazed at the vicissitude of time and fortune.” According to Professor Saintsbury, Habington “is creditably distinguished from his contemporaries by a very strict and remarkable decency of thought and language.” English poet, dramatist, and essayist William Habington died on November 30, 1654.