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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Poet Laureate
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The official poet of the royal household, originally with an obligation to write for public occasions (it is no longer a requirement, but most modern incumbents have produced some ceremonial verse). Ben *Jonson is considered the original English poet laureate (from 1616), though the first to be appointed as such was *Dryden in 1668; his annual salary was £200 and a butt of wine (an imprecise measure, but not less than 50 gallons). *Southey, *Wordsworth and *Tennyson were laureates in succession in the 19C.
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