March 31 - John Donne, the bell tolls for thee

On this day in history, 31st March 1631, the Tudor and Stuart metaphysical poet, satirist, lawyer and clergyman John Donne died.   Donne had an amazing career, going on voyages, serving as a royal chaplain and diplomat, and writing sermons, songs, satires and poetry, including an erotic poem, "The Flea".   Find out more about John Donne and hear some of his work in today's talk from Claire Ridgway, author of "On This Day in Tudor History".   Read more about John Donne and his work on the Poetry Foundation website - https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/john-donne    Mediation 17 can be read at http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/donne/meditation17.php    The Flea can be read at https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2019/dec/09/poem-of-the-week-the-flea-by-john-donne  

Also on this day in Tudor history, 31st March 1532, Henry VIII was left fuming after Friar William Peto likened him to King Ahab and Anne Boleyn to Queen Jezebel, and preached against his quest for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Find out more in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/fm1xJmzIyIA