John Cleveland (1613-1658) was an English poet known for his support of the Royalist cause during the English Civil War and his political satire. John Cleveland was born on June 16, 1613, in Loughborough, England. His father, Thomas Cleveland, served as the Vicar of Hinckley. He received his education at Hinckley Grammar School and later attended Christ’s College, Cambridge. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1632 and subsequently became a fellow of St John’s College in 1634. While at St John’s College, he worked as a college tutor and lecturer in rhetoric, which reflected his early academic pursuits.
Cleveland’s poetry is described as “intellectual gymnastics,” implying that his work can be challenging to decipher and may prioritize intellectual playfulness over straightforward communication of ideas and emotions.
In addition to his poetry, Cleveland was a serious political essayist. He actively engaged with the political issues of his time and used his writing to express his support for King Charles I during the English Civil War. His political writings, often in a satirical tone, made him a prominent voice in the Royalist cause.
Cleveland was a staunch Royalist, which means he supported the monarchy and King Charles I during the English Civil War. He openly opposed the election of Oliver Cromwell as a member of Cambridge in the Long Parliament, which ultimately led to his dismissal from his college post in 1645. Following his removal from his academic position, he joined the Royalist cause and was welcomed by King Charles I, who appointed him as judge advocate at Newark-on-Trent.
In 1646, Cleveland lost his position as a judge advocate and began wandering the country, relying on the support of other Royalists. In 1655, he was briefly imprisoned at Great Yarmouth but was released after appealing to Oliver Cromwell. After his release, he moved to London, where he spent the remainder of his life.
John Cleveland produced several notable works during his lifetime. Here are some of his key works:
“The Character of a London Diurnal” (1647): This work featured some of Cleveland’s early poems marked his debut in print and appeared in about 20 other collections. It included both his metaphysical-style poems and political satires often written in heroic couplets.
“Poems” (1654): This collection of poems, published in 1654, is one of Cleveland’s most significant works. It includes a variety of poems, both metaphysical and political, showcasing his versatility as a poet. His own volume of poems was published in 1654, which helped establish his reputation as a significant satirical poet of the period.
“May it please yr Highnesse” (1657): This is a letter or petition addressed to Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector, and reflects Cleveland’s plea for leniency. It was written during a period when he was imprisoned but later released.
“Mercurius Pragmaticus for King Charles II:” After the execution of King Charles I, Cleveland, a staunch Royalist, contributed to Royalist newsbooks such as “Mercurius Pragmaticus for King Charles II.” These publications aimed to support the exiled King Charles II. He had a particular interest in the 14th-century Wat Tyler rebellion against Richard II.
Political Satires: Many of Cleveland’s political satires were not published as separate works but appeared in various collections and newsbooks. These satires critiqued contemporary political figures and issues, often using heroic couplets and clever wordplay.
Cleveland’s writings, both in metaphysical poetry and political satire, made him a prominent figure in the literary and political landscape of his time. His works, especially his satirical poems, had a lasting impact on the literary tradition and influenced later writers like Samuel Butler and John Dryden.
Cleveland has been a target of criticism, particularly since the time of John Dryden’s criticism of the Metaphysical poets. In literary criticism, he has been used as an example to highlight the excesses and shortcomings of the Metaphysical style.
While Cleveland is criticized for his metaphysical poems, his real achievement, according to the passage, lies in his political poems. These political poems, often written in heroic couplets (rhymed pairs of lines in iambic pentameter), satirize contemporary individuals and issues. His political satire is seen as integral to his literary legacy. Cleveland’s political satires had a notable influence on his friend Samuel Butler, who wrote “Hudibras,” a satirical epic poem.