This work investigates the stylistic, thematic, and political characteristics that define the group of 17th-century English poets known as the Cavaliers. Thomas Clayton, a scholar of English literature, examines the intersection of royalist ideology and courtly verse, utilizing historical context and close readings of primary texts to establish the group's literary identity. The book argues that these poets—including figures like Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, and Sir John Suckling—employed specific rhetorical strategies to navigate the volatile political climate of the English Civil War.

Scholars and students of 17th-century literature frequently cite this text for its clear categorization of the Cavalier aesthetic. It is regarded as a useful resource for understanding the relationship between political allegiance and poetic form during the mid-1600s.