Bernard Garter facts for kids

Bernard Garter was an English poet who lived in the 1500s. He was known for writing against the power of the Pope and the Catholic Church in England. He published a few important works, including a story about two English lovers and a book called A New Yeares Gifte.

Who Was Bernard Garter?

Bernard Garter described himself as a citizen of London. This means he lived and worked in the city. Some historians believe he was the second son of a knight named Sir William Garter. Others suggest his father was Thomas Garter. It seems he had a son also named Bernard Garter, who lived in a place called Brigstocke in Northamptonshire.

What Did Bernard Garter Write?

Bernard Garter wrote several interesting books and poems. Here are some of his most well-known works:

The Tragicall and True Historie

One of his early works was The tragicall and true historie which happened betweene two English lovers. This book was published in 1563 and again in 1565. It was a poem written in a style called "ballad metre." This story was inspired by another famous work, Romeus and Juliet, which was an early version of the well-known play by Shakespeare. Garter's book is very rare today.

A New Yeares Gifte

In 1579, Garter published A New Yeares Gifte, dedicated to the Popes Holinesse and all Catholikes addicted to the Sea of Rome. This book was printed in London. In this work, Garter included poems and writings that were critical of the Catholic Church.

The book also contained other interesting parts:

• A letter from two bishops, Cuthbert Tunstall and John Stokesley, to Cardinal Reginald Pole. This letter supported the idea that the English monarch, not the Pope, was the supreme head of the Church in England. This was a very important idea at the time.
• Stories about two Popes, Alexander II and Gregory VII.
• An account of a woman named Elizabeth Barton, who was known as the Maid of Kent.
• More writings that spoke out against the Pope.

Other Possible Works

Bernard Garter might have written other pieces too.

• He contributed to a special performance called a masque for Queen Elizabeth I when she visited Norwich in 1578. A masque was a type of entertainment with music, dancing, and costumes.
• He may have written some verses for a book called Pasquin in a Trance, which was a translation from Italian.
• Some historians also think he might have written a poem based on Helen's letter to Paris from the Roman poet Ovid.
• Another book, Ludus Scacchiæ: Chesse-playe, a game pleasant, wittie, and politicall, published in 1597, is also sometimes thought to be by Garter. This book was about the game of chess.

Bernard Garter's writings give us a glimpse into the religious and political discussions happening in England during the 1500s.