The cavalier poets were a group of English poets from the 17th century who supported King Charles I during the English Civil War (1642–1651). King Charles I enjoyed the fine arts and encouraged poets who created the kind of art he appreciated. These poets, in return, aligned themselves with the king and his cause, becoming known as cavalier poets.

The word "cavalier" originally described a mounted soldier or knight. However, when used to describe those who supported Charles I, it was meant to mock them, portraying them as carefree and lively people. This group had different lifestyles and religious beliefs compared to the Roundheads, who supported Parliament and often included Puritans such as Presbyterians or Independents.

The most well-known cavalier poets were Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, Thomas Carew, and Sir John Suckling. Most of these poets were courtiers, though there were exceptions. For example, Robert Herrick was not a courtier, but his writing style still identified him as a cavalier poet.

Characteristics

Cavalier poetry differs from traditional poetry in the topics it discusses. While traditional poetry often focuses on subjects like religion, philosophy, and the arts, cavalier poetry emphasizes the joy and simple happiness found in celebrations and everyday pleasures. The goal of cavalier poetry was often to support the monarchy, especially King Charles I, and to criticize the Roundheads, who opposed the crown during the rebellion led by the Rump Parliament. Many cavalier poems use allegory or references to classical writers such as Horace, Cicero, and Ovid. These references helped their poetry impress King Charles I. Cavalier poets aimed to create works that combined both enjoyment and moral goodness. Their poems often celebrate beauty, love, nature, social life, and honor, reflecting ideas similar to "carpe diem," which means to seize the day and make the most of opportunities. While they supported the monarchy, their poetry also encouraged people to live fully, including pursuing wealth and relationships. Another feature of cavalier poetry is the idea of Platonic Love, where a man idealizes a woman as a perfect, divine figure, praising her virtues as if they were sacred.

Cavalier poetry is closely connected to the Royalist cause because its main purpose was to honor the monarchy. This connection often places cavalier poetry in a political category. Although many of these poets supported the monarchy, not all of them recognized themselves as part of this group during their lifetimes. The term "cavalier poetry" became widely used after the English Civil War began in 1642, when poets wrote in defense of the crown. Some poets, like Thomas Carew and Sir John Suckling, died before the war but are still considered cavalier poets because their work had political themes. As the conflict between the monarchy and the rebellious Parliament grew, the poetry became more focused on defending Royalist beliefs. Many poets wrote with a nostalgic tone, promoting the values of the monarchy that were being challenged.

Cavalier poets also celebrated King Charles I, emphasizing ideas like common sense, duty, and elegance, which were associated with the English court. While they borrowed ideas from ancient writers, they also included their own thoughts, making their poetry relevant to their time and showing the strength of the monarchy and Charles I. Other features of cavalier poetry include the use of metaphors and imaginative elements.

Issues of classification

According to The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, English poets from the early 17th century are simply divided into two groups: Cavaliers and metaphysical poets. The metaphysical poets, such as John Donne, often focused on religious themes. This division roughly separates poets based on whether their work was more secular or religious. However, this classification is not strict, as some poets, like Carew, are sometimes linked to both groups. The term "metaphysical" was not used during the time these poets lived but was later applied to describe them.

Some poets connected to the Cavalier tradition, as noted by Skelton, include Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Aurelian Townshend, William Cartwright, Thomas Randolph, William Habington, Sir Richard Fanshawe, Edmund Waller, and James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. Because of Ben Jonson’s influence, these poets are sometimes called the "Tribe of Ben." The term "Sons of Ben" refers only to dramatists who followed Jonson’s style.

In his introduction to The New Oxford Book of Seventeenth Century Verse, Alastair Fowler suggests the existence of a third group of poets centered on Michael Drayton. This group also includes William Browne, William Drummond of Hawthornden, John Davies of Hereford, George Sandys, Joshua Sylvester, and George Wither.