Coelum Britannicum

masque by Carew

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

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Coelum Britannicum was a masque written by Thomas Carew, an English poet and Cavalier song writer. Performed in 1634 by the king and his gentlemen, it was set to music by Henry Lawes.1

A masque was a form of court entertainment that originated in Europe and became popular in Tudor England. These spectacles typically featured costumed and masked participants who would engage in ceremonial dances and converse with guests. Often, a brief lyrical drama would precede the appearance of the masquers, whose themes were usually mythological, allegorical, or symbolic, and designed to compliment the host. The English masque, particularly under James I and Charles I, was known for its elaborate costumes, scenery, and allegorical verse.2

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Thomas Carew
Carew’s only masque, Coelum Britannicum, was performed by the king and his gentlemen in 1634 and published the same year. Music for it was composed by Henry Lawes, who, among others, set some of Carew’s songs to music.
Read More
Carew’s only masque, Coelum Britannicum, was performed by the king and his gentlemen in 1634 and published the same year. Music for it was composed by Henry Lawes, who, among others, set some of Carew’s songs to music.
Read More