MICHAEL DRAYTON was born of a gentleman’s family in Warwickshire in
the year 1563. His ancestors are said to have migrated from Drayton in
Lancashire.
Michael exhibited a strong genius for poetry at an early age. He
studied at Oxford, but without taking a degree. In 1588 he appears to
have served in a military capacity; as he describes the glorious
victory over the Invincible Armada, as seen by himself, from the shore
near Dover. He died in 1631, and was buried in Westminster Abbey.