John Skelton was born in Norfolk, probably in 1460, and studied at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. He was awarded the title of Poet Laureate by the university of Oxford in 1488, and by Cambridge in 1493. In 1489 Skelton was appointed court poet to King Henry VII, becoming tutor to the future King Henry VIII in 1496. An ordained priest, Skelton became rector of Diss, in Norfolk, around 1503, a post that he held until his death. He continued to be associated with the court, and in 1512 was given the title of Orator Regius by Henry VIII. His satirical attacks on Cardinal Wolsey seem to have led to him spending the later years of his life in a sanctuary in Westminster. Skelton died in 1529.