The Later 17th Century: Andrew Marvell

Abstract

There was great social upheaval in Britain in Marvell’s lifetime. He grew up amid mounting tension between the rapidly rising bourgeoisie class, made rich from the trade and investments that had been increasing apace since the middle of the previous century, and the old-established landed-aristocrat class, defenders of the king’s divine right to absolute rule and of their own privileged position as feudal landlords. The former, who became known as ‘Roundheads’ from the shape of the helmets they wore when civil war finally broke out in 1642, tried to assert themselves through the one channel that was open to them - parliament. Their attempt to use their access - through their elected members in the House of Commons - to parliament as a means of curbing the powers of the king and the aristocracy led to their being dubbed with the additional epithet of ‘Parliamentarians’. The king’s party were known as ‘Cavaliers’ or ‘Royalists’.