1600

Event dated 1 May 1600

Will Kemp's 'Nine Days Wonder' Morris Dance Marathon

What happened

In 1600, Will Kemp, a famous Shakespearean comic actor, undertook a publicity stunt known as 'Nine Days Wonder,' where he danced a Morris dance from London to Norwich over the course of nine days. This remarkable feat not only showcased Kemp's talent but also captured the public's imagination, highlighting the popularity of folk traditions and performance art in Elizabethan England. The event exemplified the intersection of entertainment and cultural expression during a vibrant period in English history.

Literary impact

Kemp documented his journey in a widely read humorous pamphlet, stimulating a massive trend in popular street poetry, comedic ballads, and satirical broadsides celebrating eccentric public spectacles. His work inspired poets like John Milton to incorporate humor and social commentary into their poetry.

Source: Wikipedia

Poets alive in 1600

74 poets

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