Chronology
1617 – On 9 December, Richard Lovelace is born, either in Woolwich, Kent, or in Holland.
1629 – King Charles I nominated "Thomas [probably Richard] Lovelace", upon petition of Lovelace's mother, Anne Barne Lovelace, to Sutton's foundation at Charterhouse.
1631 – On 5 May, Lovelace is made "Gentleman Wayter Extraordinary" to the King.
1634 – On 27 June, he matriculates as Gentleman Commoner at Gloucester Hall, Oxford.
1635 – Writes a comedy, The Scholars.
1636 – On 31 August, the degree of M.A. is presented to him.
1637 – On 4 October, he enters Cambridge University.
1638–1639 – His first printed poems appear: An Elegy on Princess Catherine, the daughter of Charles I; prefaces to several books.
1639 – He is senior ensign in General Goring's regiment – in the First Scottish Expedition. Sonnet to Goring
1640 – Commissioned captain in the Second Scottish Expedition; writes a tragedy, The Soldier (unperformed, unpublished and lost) and the poem "To Lucasta, Going to the Warres". He then returns home at 21, into the possession of his family's property.
1641 – Lovelace tears up a pro-Parliament, anti-Episcopacy petition at a meeting in Maidstone, Kent.
1642 – 30 April, he presents the anti-Parliamentary Petition of Kent and is imprisoned at Gatehouse. In prison he perhaps writes he writes "To Althea, from Prison" and "To Lucasta, from Prison". After appealing, he is released on bail, 21 June. The Civil war begins on 22 August. In September, he goes to Holland with General Goring. He writes The Rose.
1642–1646 – Probably serves in Holland and France with General Goring. He writes "The Scrutiny".
1643 – Sells some of his property to Richard Hulse.
1646 – In October, he is wounded at Dunkirk, while fighting under the Great Conde against the Spaniards.
1647 – He is admitted to the Freedom at the Painters' Company.
1648 – On 4 February, Lucasta is licensed at the Stationer's Register. On 9 June, Lovelace is again imprisoned at Peterhouse.
1649 – On 9 April, he is released from jail. He then sells the remaining family property and portraits to Richard Hulse. On 14 May, Lucasta: Epodes, Odes, Sonnets, Songs, &c., to which is added Aramantha, A Pastoral is published.
1650–1657 – Lovelace's whereabouts unknown, though various poems are written.
1657 – Lovelace dies in London.
1659–1660 – Lucasta, Postume Poems is published.
