William Vallans facts for kids

William Vallans was an English poet who wrote during the late 1500s. He was active between 1578 and 1590.

About William Vallans

William Vallans was the son of John Vallans. He was born near a town called Ware, Hertfordshire in England. Later in his life, he worked as a salter, which was someone who sold or dealt with salt.

Vallans was friends with important people like William Camden, who was a famous historian. He also enjoyed studying old things and history himself. People who study old things are called antiquaries.

Vallans's Main Work: A Tale of Two Swannes

In 1590, William Vallans published a long poem called A Tale of Two Swannes. It was printed in London. This poem was special because it used a style called blank verse. Blank verse means the lines of the poem do not rhyme, but they still have a rhythm. This was quite new for poems outside of plays at that time.

In A Tale of Two Swannes, Vallans wrote about his plan to leave England. He compared his farewell poem to the song a swan sings before it dies. The poem describes the history and interesting places in different towns in Hertfordshire. It also mentions many homes belonging to the queen and other important people in the county. Vallans likely left England soon after his poem was published.

Other Writings by Vallans

Vallans also wrote other poems. One of his poems is kept in a collection called the Harleian manuscripts. In this poem, he complained that John Stow, a famous historian who wrote Survey of London, was not getting enough recognition for his work.

Vallans also wrote some short poems that were placed at the beginning of another book called Whartons Dreame in 1578. Some people think he might have also written a book called The Honourable Prentice, which was published later in 1615 and 1616.