Heritage - Writers and Poets

The Poet Michael Drayton, a contemporary of William Shakespeare and Ben Johnson, was born in Hartshill and became involved in a literary circle that centred on Polesworth. Members included Raphael Holinshed from Bramcote Hall, a chronicler whose works were used by Shakespeare as the source for his history plays. John Donne was also a member of the group, and wrote his poem Good Friday 1613, as he rode westward out of Polesworth. Sir Philip Sidney was also amongst this fine company.

These men were educated and supported by forward-thinking men such as Sir Henry Goodere of Polesworth Hall. Later George Eliot was inspired by Astley Church, where her parents were married and which became Knebley Church in her Scenes of Clerical Life. From the churchyard you can see the ruin of Astley Castle which she used as Knebley Abbey. Names of her characters can be found in the churchyards, as she gathered her inspiration from the places that surrounded her.

It was however, Drayton, that gave us a description of the River Anker that he knew from his boyhood. Today, with a little imagination, you can stand on the bridge over the river in Polesworth and see it, as he did, some four hundred years ago.