Alfred Austin (1835 - 1913) became English Poet Laureate after the death of Tennyson. He was awarded the post only after several other poets had either refused the honour or had been rejected as being too controversial. It has been surmised that Austin's appointment was due largely to the enthusaistic support of his associates in the Conservative Party. Austin was a very prolific poet, but unfortunuately his high opinion of his own verse was not shared by his contemporaries. This collection of twenty-one poems covers a wide range of subjects, including a tribute to the Prostestant martyr John Huss. - Summary by Algy Pug