Edmund Spenser

Edmund Spenser (c. 1552 - January 13, 1599) was an English poet, and a contemporary of William Shakespeare. Waning in popularity and influence, Spenser is still a controversial figure due to his zeal for the destruction of the Irish culture. Spenser siphoned Ireland's Celtic tradition for poetic source material.

Spenser in Ireland

Edmund Spenser was educated in London at the Merchant Taylors' School and came to Ireland in the 1570s, during the Elizabethan re-conquest of the country, hoping to acquire land and wealth there. From 1579 to 1580, he served with the English forces during the second of the Desmond Rebellions, and afterwards was awarded lands in Cork that had been confiscated from the rebels. Amongst his acquaintances in the area was Walter Raleigh who, like Spencer, had been granted land in Munster. In the early 1590s he wrote a prose pamphlet titled, A View on the Present State of Ireland. This piece become quite famous since it was published in the mid seventeenth century, although it was not published in Spenser's lifetime, being thought too inflamatory. The pamphlet argued that Ireland would never be totally 'pacified' until its indigenous language and customs had been utterly destroyed, if necessary by violence. He recommended using scorched earth tactics, such as he had seen used in the Desmond Rebellions, to create famine. Although it once had been highly regarded as a polemical piece of prose and valued as a historical source on 16th century Ireland, the "View" is seen today as genocidal in intent. Ironically, Spenser was driven from his home by Irish rebels during the Nine Years War in 1598. He died the following year.

Related Topics:
Merchant Taylors' School - Ireland - 1570s - Elizabethan - 1579 - 1580 - Desmond Rebellions - Cork - Walter Raleigh - Munster - 1590s - Seventeenth century - 16th century - Genocidal - Nine Years War - 1598 - Following year

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