New Books in Intellectual History Catherine Clarke, "A History of England in 25 Poems" (Penguin, 2025)
Jan 17, 2026
Professor Catherine Clarke, a historian at the Institute of Historical Research, explores England's past through poetry in her upcoming book, A History of England in 25 Poems. She discusses how each poem serves as a portal to its historical context, revealing emotions from intimate to grand. Clarke analyzes the selection process, emphasizing narrative over literary fame. Delving into themes like societal roles and political commentary, she highlights pieces from Mary Leapor and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, illustrating poetry’s profound influence on national identity.
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Poetry As A Historical Time Machine
- Poems act as time machines that transport readers into past lived experiences rather than just timelines.
- Catherine Clarke argues poetry reveals intimate feelings and local life across English history.
Select Poems For Perspective, Not Popularity
- Choose poems that open unexpected angles on large events rather than only canonical 'greatest hits'.
- Use a wide chronological and social spread to capture varied voices and histories.
Pearl: Grief Amid The Black Death
- Clarke uses the medieval poem Pearl to shift the Black Death from statistics to personal grief.
- The poem focuses on a father's loss of his daughter, likely to the plague, to humanize large-scale catastrophe.
