From Ben Jonson to Alfred Tennyson, the laureates of England have played a crucial role in shaping the national identity. In 'The Laureates of England, ' historian Frances Louise Morse Howland traces the evolving role of the British Poet Laureate from its origins in the 17th century to the present day. Drawing on extensive research and primary sources, Howland sheds light on the literary, cultural, and political contexts that have shaped the laureateship over the centuries. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.