Ralph Knevet was an English clergyman and poet.

Knevet was a member of the Knevet family of Norfolk. He was admitted at Peterhouse, Cambridge

Peterhouse, Cambridge

Peterhouse is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. It is the oldest college of the University, having been founded in 1284 by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely...

 on 13 September 1617 aged 16 and was awarded LLB in 1624. He joined the family of Sir WIlliam Paston, probably as a chaplain or tutor.

Knevet was an avowed disciple of George Herbert

George Herbert

George Herbert was a Welsh born English poet, orator and Anglican priest.Being born into an artistic and wealthy family, he received a good education that led to his holding prominent positions at Cambridge University and Parliament. As a student at Trinity College, Cambridge, Herbert excelled in...

, and was described as a "learned and spasmodically talented poet". He wrote the play Rhodon and Iris dedicated to Nicholas Bacon and presented it at the Florist's Feast in Norwich

Norwich

Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...

 on 3 May 1631. In 1633 he authored the MS. Supplement of the Faery Queene in Three Books. In 1637 he composed Funeral Elegies to Lady Paston and in 1638 travelled with the Paston family to Rome. His Gallery to the Temple was composed in the 1640s. Among his shorter works was a poem dedicated to Sir Charles le Gross

Charles le Grosse

Sir Charles Le Grosse was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1628 and 1653.Le Grosse was of Crostwick near Norwich and was knighted on 6 December 1616...

 who married Muriel Knevet, daughter of Sir Thomas Knevet.

Knevet took Holy Orders and became Rector of Lyng, Norfolk

Lyng, Norfolk

Lyng is a village and civil parish in the English county of Norfolk. It is situated on the River Wensum, some north-east of the town of East Dereham and north-west of the city of Norwich....

in 1652 and remained there for the rest of his life. He died in 1671 aged 71 and was buried in the chancel of Lyng church.

Works

• A discourse of militarie discipline. 1628.
• Rhodon and Isis: a pastorall. 1631.
• Supplement to the Faery Queen in three books
• Funerall elegies; consecrated to the memory of the Lady K. Paston. 1637.
• A gallery to the temple: lyrical poems upon sacred occasions
• Shorter poems