Birth date: 
1602
Death date: 
1644
Birth town: 
Country: 
England

Born in 1602, the only son of Philip Strode, who belonged to an old Devonshire family, he was born at Plympton, Devonshire. From an early age he showed studious tendencies and was sent to Westminster School and Oxford. While at the University he began to manifest his poetic talents,and generally distinguished himself, being elected in 1629 Public Orator. He took orders and, on Richard Corbet (q.v.) becoming Bishop of Oxford, became his chaplain. Later he was Rector of E. Bredenham, Norfolk, and of Badley, Northants, and Canon of Christ Church.

On the outbreak of the Civil War he attached himself warmly to the cause of the King. He was a High Churchman, and had a reputation as "a witty and sententious preacher, an exquisite orator, and an eminent poet." Until the recovery of his poems by Mr. B. Dobell, he had fallen into absolute oblivion. As a poet he shines most in lyrics and elegies. With much of the artificiality of his age he shows gracefulness, a feeling for the country, and occasional gleams of tenderness. His play, The Floating Island, a political allegory, was produced in 1633 and played before the Court then on a visit to Oxford, where it was a subject of complaint that it had more moralising than amusement. Mr. Dobell, edited a book of his poems (The Poetical Works of William Strode) in 1907.

Poems by this Poet

Displaying 1 - 10 of 84
Poem Post datesort ascending Rating Comments
On Westwall Downes 5 September 2014
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In Commendation of Music 5 September 2014
5
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A Devonshire Song 29 November 2013
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Once Venus' cheeks, that shamed the morn 29 November 2013
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Attendant sings in a bass, An 29 November 2013
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To The Right Honourable The Lady Penelope Dowager Of The Late Vis-Count Bayning 31 July 2013
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With Penne, Inke, And Paper To A Distressed Friend 31 July 2013
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When Orpheus Sweetly Did Complayne 31 July 2013
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Upon The Blush Of A Faire Ladie 31 July 2013
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Upon The Sherrifs Beere 31 July 2013
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