The lord Mordaunt to whom this poem is addressed was John fifth baron
Mordaunt of Turvey, in the county of Bedford, who was afterwards (in
1628) created earl of Peterborough by king Charles the First. He married
Elizabeth, daughter and heir of William baron Howard of Effingham, (son
and heir apparent of Charles earl of Nottingham,) by Anne his wife,
daughter and heir of John baron St. John of Bletsoe. He was brought up
in the Roman Catholic religion, but converted to that of the established
church by a disputation at which he was present between a Jesuit and
the celebrated Dr. Usher, (afterwards) bishop of Armagh. In 1642 he was
general of the ordnance, and colonel of a regiment of foot in the army,
raised for the service of the Parliament, commanded by the earl of
Essex, and died the same year.
In order to understand the following poem, it will be necessary to
remember, that James, in the year 1617, paid a visit to his native
country, whither the lord Mordaunt accompanied him; and the ceremony of
installing the knights of the garter was consequently deferred from St.
George’s day to that of Holyrood.