Henry Constable (1592–1613) was an English poet most famous for the first sonnet sequence in English literature, “Diana.” After converting to Catholicism during the anti-Catholic persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I, he lived in exile on the continent, only returning to England with the accession of the more Catholic-friendly James I. Despite the English throne’s more lenient stance, Constable was soon held prisoner in the Tower of London. Much of his poetry reflected his passionate love for his newfound faith. He died in exile in Liege, Belgium.
Henry Constable (1592–1613) was an English poet most famous for the first sonnet sequence in English literature, “Diana.” After converting to Catholicism during the anti-Catholic persecutions of Queen Elizabeth I, he lived in exile on the continent, only returning to England with the accession of the more Catholic-friendly James I. Despite the English throne’s more lenient stance, Constable was soon held prisoner in the Tower of London. Much of his poetry reflected his passionate love for his newfound faith. He died in exile in Liege, Belgium.
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