Thomas Carew: Chronology of Events

Source: Maclean, Hugh, ed. Ben Jonson and the Cavalier Poets.
New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1974. 156-7.

Hypertext: Anniina Jokinen. ©1997-1999 Anniina Jokinen. All Rights Reserved.

I594-I595 Born, possibly at West Wickham, Kent. His father, Matthew Carew, a lawyer of some distinction, had been a Master in Chancery since I576, and was knighted by James I in I603. The family took up residence in London about I598, but nothing is known of Thomas Carew's early education.

I608 Matriculates at Merton College, Oxford; graduates B. A. in January, I6I0/I6II.

I6I2 Incorporated B. A. of Cambridge. Admitted to the Middle Temple, presumably intending to enter the legal profession.

I6I3 Probably in consequence of his father's financial difficulties, accepts the offer of Sir Dudley Carleton, English Ambassador in Venice, to join Carleton's entourage as a secretary.

I6I5 On completion of the embassy's official business, returns to England with Carleton, in December.

I6I6 Accompanies Carleton's embassy to the Netherlands. By consequence of some written indiscretions bearing on Carleton's character, returns to England in August, having been discreetly but effectively dismissed from his post.

I6I6-8 Unsuccessfully seeking employment from various noble-men; recurrently in attendance at court. Father dies, August, I6I8.

I6I9 Makes one of an embassy to Paris headed by Sir Edward Herbert (later Lord Herbert of Cherbury). Perhaps meets the Italian poet Giambattista Marino, resident in Paris from I6I5 to I623.

I622 First published poem: commendatory verses prefixed to The Heir, a comedy by Thomas May. "A Rapture" probably composed between I622 and I624. Associating in the early I620's with Jonson and his circle; frequenting the court and cultivating influential persons there.

I630 Appointed a Gentlemen of the Privy chamber Extraordinary named Sewer in Ordinary to the King (i.e., a household official in charge of the royal dining arrangements).

I634 Carew's masque, Coelum Britannicum, performed at court; published later in the year.

I639 Accompanies Charles I's military expedition against Scotland, brought to a bloodless conclusion at Berwick with the Articles of Pacification, June I8.

I640 Death. Buried in Saint Dunstan's-in-the-West, Westminster, March 23. Publication of Poems.

I642 Publication of Poems, "the second edition revised and enlarged."

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