Aristocratic Age
One of the most significant literary events was the death of Sir Francis Bacon, a polymath whose influence extended into literature through his philosophical and scientific writings. His last major work, Sylva Sylvarum (a collection of natural history experiments) and New Atlantis (a utopian narrative), were published posthumously in 1627, but the groundwork for these was laid during 1626. These texts would influence both scientific literature and speculative fiction.
Ben Jonson, a key figure in English literature, premiered his play The Staple of News at the Blackfriars Theatre in London. This satirical work poked at the burgeoning news industry, reflecting the social and cultural changes of the time.
John Milton, although still a student at Cambridge, began to make his mark. The death of Lancelot Andrewes and Nicholas Felton prompted Milton to write Latin elegies for both, showcasing his early poetic talent.
In Spain, the Golden Age continued with Francisco de Quevedo’s publication of El Buscón (The Swindler), a picaresque novel that satirized Spanish society and added to the rich tapestry of Spanish literature during this period. This work, though not universally appreciated at the time due to its biting satire, has since become recognized as a masterpiece of Spanish literature.