John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant. His 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost was written in blank verse and included 12 books, written in a time of immense religious flux and political upheaval. It addressed the fall of man, including the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan, and God's expulsion of them from the Garden of Eden. Paradise Lost elevated Milton's reputation as one of history's greatest poets. He also served as a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under its Council of State and later under Oliver Cromwell.
"Areopagitica", a pamphlet by John Milton decrying censorship, is published
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant. His 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost was written in blank verse and included 12 books, written in a time of immense religious flux and...
Historical Significance
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant.
Key People
Events Before
Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven form the United Colonies of New England
The United Colonies of New England, commonly known as the New England Confederation, was a confederal alliance of the New England colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Saybrook (Connecticut), and…
Pavonia Massacre: Dutch US colonists kill 120 Algonquin Native Americans at Communipaw (New Jersey)
Pavonia Massacre: Dutch US colonists kill 120 Algonquin Native Americans at Communipaw (New Jersey)
Tirso de Molina's "Bellaco Sois, Gomez" premieres in Madrid
Tirso de Molina's "Bellaco Sois, Gomez" premieres in Madrid
Lady Blanche Arundell, surrenders Wardour Castle, which she had led the defense of against a siege by Parliamentarian fo
Lady Blanche Arundell, surrenders Wardour Castle, which she had led the defense of against a siege by Parliamentarian forces [1]
Essex County, Massachusetts is founded, which contains the town of Salem in which the notorious witch-trials will occur
Essex County, Massachusetts is founded, which contains the town of Salem in which the notorious witch-trials will occur in 1692
Events After
English Long Parliament passes the Self-Denying Ordinance, limiting regional armies, a significant step toward the New M
English Long Parliament passes the Self-Denying Ordinance, limiting regional armies, a significant step toward the New Model Army
Battle of Naseby, Leicestershire: Parliament's New Model Army under Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax defeats the Royal
Battle of Naseby, Leicestershire: Parliament's New Model Army under Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Fairfax defeats the Royalist forces of English King Charles I
French nobleman and soldier Charles de Sainte-Maure, duc de Montausier marries Julie d'Angennes finally, four years afte
French nobleman and soldier Charles de Sainte-Maure, duc de Montausier marries Julie d'Angennes finally, four years after he gifted her manuscript Guirlande de Julie, composed of 61 madrigals by famous poets
Battle of Jankau in Bohemia: Sweden defeats Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III
The Battle of Jankau, took place on 6 March 1645 during the later stages of the Thirty Years' War, near Jankov in Bohemia (today the Czech Republic).
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, resigns as Parliament's supreme commander during the English Civil War
Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex, resigns as Parliament's supreme commander during the English Civil War
More from the 1640s
Francesco Cavalli's opera "Giasone" premieres in Venice (the most popular opera of the 17th century)
Giasone (Jason) is an opera in three acts and a prologue with music by Francesco Cavalli and a libretto by Giacinto Andrea Cicognini.
The English Rump Parliament votes to put Charles I on trial for treason and other high crimes
The trial of Charles I took place in January 1649, marking the first time a reigning monarch was tried and executed by his own subjects.
Dutch East India Company conquers the city of Malacca, killing about 7,000 people
Dutch East India Company conquers the city of Malacca, killing about 7,000 people
Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city
Georgeana (York) in Maine becomes the first incorporated American city
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on November 23, 1644?
- John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant. His 1667 epic poem Paradise Lost was written in blank verse and included 12 books, written in a time of immense religious flux and political upheaval. It addressed the fall of man, including the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallen angel Satan, and God's expulsion of them from the Garden of Eden.
- Why is "Areopagitica", a pamphlet by John Milton decrying censorship, is published significant?
- John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, and civil servant.
- Who was involved in "Areopagitica", a pamphlet by John Milton decrying censorship, is published?
- Key figures include John Milton (poet and civil servant).