Tomb of John Gower,Southwark cathedral,London,England,UK - Head detail with books
Image details
Contributor:
Tony Smith / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
H5527KFile size:
57.1 MB (2.6 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
5472 x 3648 px | 46.3 x 30.9 cm | 18.2 x 12.2 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
30 September 2016Location:
Southwark,London Bridge,London,England,UKMore information:
John Gower (c. 1330 – October 1408) was an English poet, a contemporary of William Langland and the Pearl Poet, and a personal friend of Geoffrey Chaucer. He is remembered primarily for three major works, the Mirour de l'Omme, Vox Clamantis, and Confessio Amantis, three long poems written in French, Latin, and English respectively, which are united by common moral and political themes. His tomb is in Southwark Cathedral, London, with the following inscription: This is the tomb of John Gower (d. 1408). Poet Laureate to Richard II and to Henry IV. Gower has been called “the first English poet” because, when most literary people wrote in French or Latin, he wrote also in English. He had a house and chapel within the precincts of the Augustinian Priory, (St. Mary Overie), to the north of this Cathedral Church. He left money for the founding of a chantry chapel in which he was buried. This chapel which stood on the north side of the nave was destroyed but the present tomb stands on or near the site on which it was originally built. The head of the effigy rests on three books. Gower wrote Vox Clamantis in Latin, Speculum Meditantis in French and Confessio Amantis in English