Richard Corbet (1582-1635)
Bishop of Oxford and Norwich

Richard Corbet (1582-1635),
Bishop of Norwich.
Courtesy of the British Museum, London. via Wikipedia

Richard Corbet (1582-1635) was an English clergyman, poet, and humourist. He was born in Ewell, Surrey, and educated at Westminster School and Christ Church Collage, Oxford. After graduating, he held a number of ecclesiastical positions, including Dean of Christ Church (1620-28) and Bishop of Oxford (1628-32). In 1632, he was transferred to the see of Norwich, where he died three years later.

Corbet married Alice, daughter of Leonard Hutton, vicar of Flower, Northamptonshire, by whom he had a daughter, Alice, and a son, Vincent (b. 10 Nov. 1627).

Corbet is best known for his poems, which are characterized by their wit, humour, and satire. His most famous poem is “The Faerie Queene’s Farewell,” which is a witty and nostalgic farewell to the world of fairies. Other notable poems include “A Proper New Ballad of the Rat and the Mouse,” “A Thanksgiving to God for His House,” and “In Praise of Women.”

Corbet’s poems were not published until after his death, in 1647.

Corbet was also a devout Christian, and his poems often reflect his religious beliefs. A controversial figure in his own time his work was often criticized by Puritans.  However, he is now recognized as one of the most important poets of the Caroline period (i.e the reign of Charles I 1625–1649).

In addition to his poetry, Corbet was also known for his humour and his ability to tell stories. It is said that he once preached a sermon on the importance of moderation in drinking, and then proceeded to get drunk himself!  Known for his sharp wit and his ability to skewer his opponents with humour he was a popular figure in Oxford and Norwich, and many anecdotes about him were told after his death.

Richard Corbet was a complex and fascinating figure, a friend of John Donne and other leading poets of the time, whose work is still read and enjoyed today.

Further Reading

• The Poems of Richard Corbet, edited by Octavius Gilchrist (1895)
• Richard Corbet: A Life, by David N. Smith (1994)
• Richard Corbet: A Critical Study, by John C. A. Rathmell (1962)
• The Cambridge Companion to Richard Corbet, edited by Peter Lindenbaum (2007)

Based on text produced by Google AI program Bard.