Poet, Privy Seal clerk, and scribe, Thomas Hoccleve (1367?–1426) produced short religious and secular poems as well as two major long works, The Regiment of Princes and what is called the “Series”. A contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, William Langland, John Gower, and John Lydgate, Hoccleve claims to have known Chaucer during his lifetime (1343?–1400) and wrote some of the earliest praise for his contemporary and literary predecessor. He is also best known for his autobiographical style, anti-Wycliffite (or Lollard) writings, his association with the Ricardian and Lancastrian governments of his day, his descriptions of London, and the fact that three manuscripts of his poetry survive in his own hand.

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First published 14 October 2003

Citation: Goldie, Matthew Boyd. "Thomas Hoccleve". The Literary Encyclopedia. 14 October 2003.
[http://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=2158, accessed 9 February 2010.]