Five days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, a poem entitled Floral Tribute, reflecting on her life of service through the metaphor of her favourite flower, the lily of the valley, was published in her honour. It was the work of Simon Armitage, who as Britain’s Poet Laureate was following in a long line of tradition. Poets Laureate have waxed lyrical about royal events from birthdays and jubilees to weddings and funerals for centuries. Yet their role has also much changed through time.
The title Poet Laureate echoes the Greek/Roman tradition of honouring achievement with a crown of laurel, a tree sacred to Apollo, patron of poets. The acerbically funny actor-playwright Ben Jonson – born 450 years ago this year – was an early appointee when King James I, enamoured with the courtly masques
