Stephen Hawes

Stephen Hawes (d. c. 1523) was an early Tudor poet, possibly born in Suffolk, who served as a attendant in the household of Henry VII. Public information about his life is limited, and he is known mainly through his works. His poetry follows Chaucer and Lydgate, favouring allegory and moral instruction, and exercised some influence on Spenser. His major allegorical poem, The Pastime of Pleasure, was printed in 1509 and traces the pursuit of knowledge and virtue through allegory; other works include The Example of Vertu, The Convercyon of Swerers, and a poem on the coronation of Henry VIII, A Ioyfull medytacyon to all Englonde. The library holds five of his works, which deal largely with moral conduct, religious repentance, and court ceremony, written in archaic language and making frequent use of allegory and dream visions.