Richard Crashaw

Richard Crashaw (1613 – 1649)

1. A Catholic who fled to France during the Civil War and spent his life in exile at Little Gidding and Oxford
2. He became a Roman Catholic in 1645.
3. Abraham Cowle, his friend saw his poor living conditions and introduced him to Queen Henrietta Maria of England. The queen further introduced him to the Pope and he got the position of sub-canon of the Cathedral of Santa Casa in Loreto.
4. Crashaw’s style reflects a 17th century movement called Marinism or secentismo. This movement was popularized by the Italian poet Giambattista marino. It was a reaction against classicism, marked by extravagant metaphors, hyperbole, fantastic word plays and original myths, written with great sonority and sensuality.
5. Works:
   1. Epigrammatum Sacrorum Libre (A Book of Sacred Epigrams)
      1. A collection of Latin Verses on scriptural subjects.
      2. Steps to the Temple, Secred Poems, With other Delights of the Muses (1646)
      3. Carmen Deo Nostro, Te Decet Hymns Secred Poems. (1652)
      4. A Letter from Mr Crashaw to the Countess of Denbigh Against Irresolution and Delay in matters of Religion (1653)
      5. Richard Crashaw Poem t a Epigrammata. (1670)