Writing poetry in the 16th century was a difficult business for anyone trying to make a living. Without copyrights, manuscripts of poems circulated between readers who freely copied them into their own anthologies and whatever profits were made went to the powerful booksellers. In order to survive serious poets often had to rely on the gifts of wealthy patrons who supported their work. For English explorers and adventurers of the time period the stakes were just as high, if not higher. To create poetry one only needs something to write on and something to write with; to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, or around the tip of Africa, required a ship outfitted with supplies and a crew. It was an expensive enterprise and the captains of the expeditions were forced to rely on the wealth and patronage of others, usually the Queen.
To ensure that future journey’s would be financed the men who chronicled them had to ensure the patrons or supporters were pleased with the results and the pleased with the amount of glory they were receiving. George Best took part in Martin Frobisher’s search for a Northwest Passage and wrote about the voyage in 1578. In his account he includes a passage praising the foremost promoter of the expedition, Lord Ambrose Dudley, “whose noble mind and good countenance in this, as in all other actions, gave great encouragement,” (929). Although Dudley was already dead by the time the report was published, his mention in such glowing terms may have been aimed at attracting new patrons who wanted similar glorification. One person who consistently received this type of veneration was Queen Elizabeth. Sir Walter Ralegh elevated her to nearly divine status when he wrote with regards to Guiana, “I trust…that he which is King of all Kings and Lord of Lords will put it into her heart which is Lady of Ladies to posses it,” (926). Certainly, Ralegh respected the Queen, but this exaltation was meant to elicit more patronage for a potential conquest (one that never happened).
The Queen was also rewarded for her patronage in slightly more tangible ways. When Sir Francis Drake was supposedly offered California by the native inhabitants he accepted “in the name and to the use of Her Majesty…wishing that the riches and treasure thereof might so conveniently be transported to the enriching of her kingdom at home,” (934). Arthur Barlowe did the same thing during his voyage to Virginia, claiming the land in honor of the Queen (936). Once again, while these men may have truly desired to increase the Queen’s glory they also wanted to ensure her continued financial support for their exploits.
Both Drake and Barlowe also further glorified their patron, the Queen, through naming. Drake called his territory Nova Albion, Latin for New England; and Barlowe mentions that the land called Wingandacoa by the natives is “now, by Her Majesty, Virginia,” (937). Even non-royal patrons were honored by naming; the previously mentioned Lord Ambrose Dudley and his wife were immortalized with Mount Warwick and Countess’s Island (929, 931).
I loved your Rumination. First, you wrote this Rumination in such a way that I absolutely believe everything you said. There was no opinion about this article or need to make me believe what you are saying. Second, I knew that patrons were an important part of the writing process back in the day, but I did not realize that patrons were brown-nosed by their writers. This makes me wonder that what if some of the earlier writers that did not feel like kissing their patrons butts have gone undiscovered.
ReplyDeleteThis post definitely brings up important parts of the time. I feel like the entire "Wider World" in general did an incredible job of grasping the image of the time. This post help proved how little power people had in the Elizabethan time and how dangerous the times were. As you also explained, glory was a very big deal back in those times. I wonder if you believe that glory is more important now compared to the Elizabethan age. I would argue that glory was more important back then but I could find an argument for both sides.
ReplyDeleteThat's certainly an interesting way to look at the effort poets put forth to find inspiration for their works. I would have to agree that poets/writers both then and now do have to kiss up to their patrons in order to earn money for themselves as well as find new topics to write about. Overall, I would agree with what you said about securing financial support, especially considering that some of those expeditions were off hunting things like "The Fountain of Youth" or "El Dorado". Finding either of these would both bring fame and much more money in for themselves and their patrons if they were found. I think the writers were also hoping to be with the expedition that found one of those legendary treasures of the new world in addition to writing about this mysterious land.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly is amazing and awe-inspiring how much these explorers just gave up to "her majesty". Of course the journeys would never have occurred had the queen not donated funding to said journeymen, however I wonder if those who did discover new trade routes/land such as Raleigh and Drake were famous because of their success. This may seem obvious, however what about those who failed? Did those explorers gain any fame for their attempts at greatness? Or were those explorers who succeeded only famous due to the fact that the Queen boosted their popularity as such?
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