John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester is born at Ditchley Manor In Oxfordshire, England.
Wilmot was a 17th-century poet and courtier in England, known for his wit, charm, and scandalous (bisexual) behavior. He was born in 1647 to a noble family, and from an early age, he showed a talent for poetry and a rebellious streak.
Rochester’s life was marked by a series of scandals and controversies. He was known for his promiscuity, heavy drinking, and wild behavior, which often got him into trouble with the law and with his peers. He was also an outspoken critic of the monarchy and the church, which made him a controversial figure in his time.
Despite his reputation, Rochester was a gifted writer, and his poetry while not as popular as it was is still admired today for its wit, humor, and vivid imagery. His work often explores themes of love, sex, and death, and he is known for his use of irony, satire, and bawdy humor.
Rochester’s most famous works include “The Imperfect Enjoyment,” a poem about a failed sexual encounter, and “A Satyr Against Reason and Mankind,” a scathing critique of human nature and society. He also wrote several plays, including “Sodom, or the Quintessence of Debauchery,” which was banned from the stage for its explicit content.
Rochester was a prominent figure at the court of King Charles II. He was known for his charm and charisma, and he was a favorite of the king, who appointed him as a Gentleman of the Bedchamber. However, his behavior eventually became too scandalous even for the libertine court of Charles II, and he was banished from the court in 1679.
Rochester’s life was cut short at the age of 33, when he died of syphilis. Despite his brief life and controversial reputation he remains a fascinating and enigmatic figure in English literature, whose talent and scandalous behavior continue to captivate audiences centuries after his death.
“If by chance then I wake, hot-headed and drunk, What a coyle do I make for the loss of my Punck? I storm and I roar, and I fall in a rage, And, missing my whore I bugger my Page.
“Nor shall our love-fits, Chloris, be forgot,
John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester
When each the well-looked
linkboy strove t’enjoy,
And the best kiss was the deciding lot
Whether the
boy fucked you, or I the boy”
*A linkboy is a lamp wick lighter. Who obviously enjoyed lighting the Earl of Rochester’s wick.