Alexander Barclay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alexander Barclay
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| Born | c. 1476 |
| Died | 10 June 1552 (aged c. 75) |
| Occupation | poet |
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Notable work
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The Ship of Fools (1509) |
Alexander Barclay (born around 1476, died June 10, 1552) was a famous poet and a clergyman. He worked for the Church of England. Many believe he was born in Scotland. He is best known for his long poem, The Ship of Fools.
Contents
About Alexander Barclay
Alexander Barclay was born around the year 1476. People are not sure exactly where he was born. Some say he was born "beyond the cold river of Twede," which means in Scotland. He spent his early life in Croydon, England. It is not clear if he went to Oxford or Cambridge University. He likely earned a degree, as he was later called "Doctor of Divinity."
His Travels and Early Career
Barclay probably traveled a lot in Europe. This is because his writings show he knew a lot about European books and stories. He became a chaplain at a college in Ottery St Mary, Devon. Here, he started writing his well-known poem, The Ship of Fools. This poem was partly a translation of a German book by Sebastian Brant.
Life as a Monk
When his boss died in 1513, Barclay left Devon. He became a monk at the Benedictine monastery in Ely. During this time, he likely wrote his eclogues, which are poems about country life. Later, he left Ely to join the Franciscan order.
In 1520, Barclay was asked to help decorate for a big meeting. This meeting was between King Henry VIII and King Francis I at the Field of the Cloth of Gold. He later became a Franciscan friar in Canterbury.
Later Life and Death
It seems Barclay accepted the changes in religion happening in England. He kept his church jobs under King Edward VI. He had jobs in Great Baddow, Essex, and Wokey, Somerset. In 1552, he was given another job at All Hallows church in London. He died soon after, in Croydon, Surrey, on June 10, 1552.
His Famous Works
The Ship of Fools
The Ship of Fools (published in 1509) was very popular in England. It was a new kind of funny story. It showed different types of foolish people. These were not just made-up ideas. They were like real people you might see.
For example, it talked about:
- People who collect many books but never learn anything from them.
- Judges who take money to make unfair decisions.
- Old people who get even more foolish with age.
- People who always follow the latest fashion trends.
- Priests who tell stories about Robin Hood in church.
This poem helps us understand what life was like and what people cared about during Barclay's time.
Other Writings
Barclay also wrote the Life of St George around 1515. He wrote this for Thomas Howard, 3rd Duke of Norfolk. He also translated Mirrour of Good Manners around 1518. This book was originally from Italy.
Many of Barclay's books were printed with the help of Richard Pynson. Barclay also wrote five Eclogues. These poems were inspired by writers like Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini and Baptista Mantuanus. The Eclogues include sad poems for important people who had died.
