James Carkesse, Lucida Intervalla

Ilaria Natali (Università di Firenze)

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.04: English Writing and Culture of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1688.
Vol. editors: Jennifer Brady (Rhodes College), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne), Claire Preston (Queen Mary, University of London), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1679

Places

England (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Poem collection

Resources

The figure of James Carkesse is still partially unknown; mentioned in Pepys’ diaries, it seems he was a Navy Office clerk who was prosecuted for corruption in 1667. At first apparently well integrated in social circles, Carkesse was isolated when he developed the belief that he was in charge of a ‘sacred mission’ and started spreading his creed. His religious enthusiasm was probably the main reason for his confinement in the Finsbury madhouse in 1678 and, later, in Bethlem (or Bedlam), under the supervision of doctor Allen.

While in Finsbury and Bethlem, Carkesse wrote 53 poems concerning his folly and reclusion, which were published in 1679 under the title Lucida Intervalla. Most texts are addressed to …

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600 words

Citation: Natali, Ilaria. "Lucida Intervalla". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 11 February 2010 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=28520, accessed 25 November 2024.]

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