Line 201, criticism of Cardinal Wolsey, quoted in The Complete English Poems of John Skelton: Revised Edition, ed. John Scattergood (2015), p. 248. Compare: "Rule the rost", John Heywood, Proverbs (1546) part i. chap. v.; "Her that ruled the rost", Thomas Heywood, History of Women; "Rules the roast", Ben Jonson, George Chapman, Marston: Eastward Ho, act ii. sc. 1.; William Shakespeare, 2 Henry VI. act i. sc. 1
“
He ruleth all the roste.
— John Skelton
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "He ruleth all the roste." in the context of "Line 201, criticism of Cardinal Wolsey, quoted in The Complete English Poems of John Skelton: Revised Edition, ed. John Scattergood (2015), p. 248. Compare: "Rule the rost", John Heywood, Proverbs (1546) part i. chap. v.; "Her that ruled the rost", Thomas Heywood, History of Women; "Rules the roast", Ben Jonson, George Chapman, Marston: Eastward Ho, act ii. sc. 1.; William Shakespeare, 2 Henry VI. act i. sc. 1" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "John Skelton" (Quotes, Why Come Ye Nat to Courte? (written c. 1522, printed c. 1545))
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
About John Skelton
John Skelton (c. 1460 – June 21, 1529) was an English poet, variously asserted to have been born in Armathwaite, Cumberland, or Yorkshire. Many of his works included scathing indictments of the church or church figures, and although they were likely circulated in his day, they were not officially published until some time after his death.
About John Skelton
John Skelton (c. 1460 – June 21, 1529) was an English poet, variously asserted to have been born in Armathwaite, Cumberland, or Yorkshire. Many of his works included scathing indictments of the church or church figures, and although they were likely circulated in his day, they were not officially published until some time after his death.
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