From ‘Cursory Remarks on Some of the Ancient English Poets…’ (1789), p. 10.
John Skelton, a rude and scurrilous rhymer of the reign of Henry VIII. is mentioned here, only as his gross style and measures reflect back some honor to Chaucer, by a comparison: and he seems further remarkable, as he had sufficient confidence to satirize Wolsey, in the plenitude of his power. Puttenham … calls him ‘a rude rayling rhymer and all his doings ridiculous.’ Yet he was this for want of taste, not learning; as his scholarship excited a high encomium from Erasmus.
Though neither the manner, nor versification of Skelton, could recommend his poems, the justness of his satire rendered them popular. Wolsey's profligacy, arrogance, and oppressions were so excessive, that it required a very ingenious poet to invent a charge against him, that would not have application: and the generality of the court, constrained through fear, to flatter a man they secretly detested, were gratified in the boldness of one, who, without hesitation or reserve, dared utter their common sentiment.