Tennyson remains one of the most popular poets in Britain. He replaced the great William Wordsworth as the poet laureate and remained in position for much of Queen Victoria’s reign.
So, what is Tennyson’s connection to the Lake District? The lake at Bassenthwaite is thought to be the inspiration for where the sword was thrown in his famous poem Morte d’Arthur. The poem is believed to have been written during a time of grief for Tennyson over the death of a close friend.
Windermere is also a significant location for the poet. He debuted the poem to friends on the banks of the famous lake in 1835.
Tennyson loved the area so much that he extended his Lake District honeymoon with his new wife and they stayed for over four months.
His work over the years has endured and several of his quotes are now part of the fabric of the English language such as:
“Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all",
“Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die"
"Knowledge comes, but Wisdom lingers"
Tennyson had a range of subject matters that he drew on for inspiration. The dominant themes of his work over the years included domestic situations, nature and historical myths and legends. His overriding theme is about pessimism and giving up juxtaposing with positivity and struggling on regardless.
Tennyson published his first collection of solo poems in 1830. Poems Chiefly Lyrical.
Despite this being his debut, these works were celebrated as some of the finest of his career and established him as one of the greats.
His career peaked in 1850 with the publication of his masterpiece ‘In Memoriam A.H.H.’ This was a tribute to his good friend Arthur Henry Hallam who died suddenly at the age of 22.
He continued working up until his death in 1892.
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