John Caius the Elder facts for kids
John Caius (also known as Kay), who was active around 1480, was an English poet. He is best known for translating an important historical account into English.
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Who Was John Caius?
John Caius was an English poet and translator from the 15th century. Not much is known about his early life or where he grew up. He is sometimes called "the elder" to tell him apart from others with the same name.
The Siege of Rhodes Story
Caius translated a book called The Siege of Rhodes into English. This book tells the story of a big attack on the island of Rhodes in 1480. The Ottoman army tried to capture Rhodes, but they did not succeed.
A Witness's Tale
The original book about the siege was written in Latin. Its title was Obsidionis Rhodiæ urbis descriptio. It was written by Gulielmus Caoursin in 1480. Caoursin was an important official for the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. He was also an eyewitness, meaning he saw the siege happen himself. Caius's English translation was printed sometime between 1481 and 1484.
Poet and Translator
John Caius dedicated his English translation to King Edward IV. When he wrote to the king, he called himself Edward's "humble poet laureate." This phrase suggests he was a poet who wrote for the king. However, it doesn't necessarily mean he had an official job at the royal court.
His Dedication to the King
In his dedication, Caius also mentioned that he had spent time in Italy. He might have been studying there. Beyond these few details, we don't know much more about his life. Many parts of his story are still unclear and debated by historians today.
