The Cavalier Poets were a loose group of 17th-century English lyric poets associated with the court of Charles I. They are known for polished, graceful verse, wit, and a lively tone, often writing about love, pleasure, loyalty, and the pleasures of life. The group was not an official literary movement, but the poets shared similar tastes and courtly ideals.
The group of poets included Robert Herrick, Thomas Carew, Sir John Suckling and Richard Lovelace who were all supporters of Charles I. Although not a formal group they were all influenced by Ben Jonson and wrote highly crafted, witty lyrics in praise of wine, women and song. See also Tribe of Ben.
Example
If spring has lent us wine and song,
let sorrow wait outside the door;
for while the night is warm and bright,
we ask for nothing more.