Who is Richard Barnefield

Richard Barnfield (baptized 29 June 1574 – 1620) was an English poet.

His obscure though close relationship with William Shakespeare has long made him interesting to scholars. It has been suggested that he was the "rival poet" mentioned in Shakespeare's sonnets.

Early life

Barnfield was born at the home of his maternal grandparents in Norbury, Staffordshire, where he was baptized on 29 June 1574. He was the son of Richard Barnfield, gentleman, and Mary Skrymsher (1552–1581).

He was brought up in Shropshire at The Manor House in Edgmond, his upbringing supervised by his aunt Elizabeth Skrymsher after his mother died when Barnfield was six years old.In November 1589 Barnfield matriculated at Brasenose College, Oxford, and took his degree in Fe...
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Richard Barnefield Poems

  • Philomel
    As it fell upon a day
    In the merry month of May,
    Sitting in a pleasant shade
    Which a grove of myrtles made,...
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Top 10 most used topics by Richard Barnefield

Alone 1 Pain 1 Poor 1 Spring 1 Bird 1 King 1 Shade 1 Great 1 Hear 1 Merry 1


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A Woman-s Sonnets: Ii
 by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt

Nay, dear one, ask me not to leave thee yet.
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But the sweet present, while thy smiles I see,
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