The White Doe of Rylstone, or, The Fate of the Nortons, a William Wordsworth Poem

Book excerpt: The White Doe Of Rylstone, Or, The Fate Of The Nortons is a remarkable narrative poem that combines history with legend. It was set at the time of the Rising of the North, in 1559, when Catholic nobles from Northern England unsuccessfully attempted to depose Queen Elizabeth I of England to replace her with Mary, Queen of Scots. It was written in 1807-08, but not finally revised and published until 1815. William Wordsworth (1770 - 1850) was an English Romantic poet. He was Britain's poet laureate from 1843 until his death in 1850. He initially refused to accept this honour, citing that he was to old, but the Prime Minister, Robert Peel, assured him that nothing would be required of him. He therefore became the only poet laureate to write no official verses while holding the title.