Italy, Politics, and the Voice of Authority

Abstract

It was not uncommon for well-born young Englishmen of the time to have a spell abroad, usually in France, perhaps in Paris or at the Protestant college at Saumur, sometimes further afield, but not many scriveners’ sons went on a tour to Italy In early 1638 John Milton, gentleman—scholar, now twenty-nine, was preparing to go to Italy and Greece, seats of ancient learning. Henry Lawes helped procure a passport; experienced travellers, like old Sir Henry Wotton, at Eton College, were consulted; and contacts were made. With a manservant, presumably, Milton set off across the Channel at the beginning of May. In Paris, where he stayed for a short time in mid-May, and where he took further advice over his travel plans, Milton met one of the joint ambassadors to France, John Scudamore, Lord Dromore, and through him the famous Dutch scholar Hugo Grotius. His exhilerating contact with continental men of learning had begun.