Giles Fletcher the Elder

Giles Fletcher the Elder (born c. November 1546, Cranbrook, Kent, Eng.—died March 11, 1611, London) was an English poet and author, and father of the poets Phineas Fletcher and Giles Fletcher the Younger; his writings include an account of his visit to Russia. Educated at Eton and at King’s College, Cambridge, Fletcher was employed on diplomatic service in Scotland, Germany, and Holland. In 1588 he was sent to Russia to the court of the tsar,...