Nicholas Breton

Background

Nicholas was born in 1545 in Essex, United Kingdom. His parents: William Breton and Elizabeth Bacon.

Education

There is no official record of his residence at the university, but the diary of the Rev. Richard Madox tells us that he was at Antwerp in 1583 and was "once of Oriel College."

Career

His work consists of religious and pastoral poems, satires, and a number of miscellaneous prose tracts. His religious poems are sometimes wearisome by their excess of fluency and sweetness, but they are evidently the expression of a devout and earnest mind. His lyrics are pure and fresh, and his romances, though full of conceits are pleasant reading, remarkably free from grossness. Breton had a little gift for satire, and his best work is to be found in his pastoral poetry.

Most of Breton's books are very rare and have great bibliographical value. His works, with the exception of some belonging to private owners, were collected by Dr. AB Grosart in the Chertsey Worthies Library in 1879, with an elaborate introduction quoting the documents for the poet's history.

Works

• book

  • Passionate Shepheard

  • Fantastickes

  • A Sweet Pastoral

• novel

  • Wits Trenckrnour

  • A Quarrel with Love

• poem

  • Aglaia: a Pastoral

Religion

His praise of the Virgin and his references to Mary Magdalene have suggested that he was a Catholic, but his prose writings abundantly prove that he was an ardent Protestant.

Connections

Father:

William Breton

Mother:

Elizabeth Bacon