GOWER, JOHN

(d. 1408); Eng. poet; was a person of means and influence; called by his friend, Chaucer, ‘the moral Gower.’ His Eng. poem, Confe io A mantis, consists of love stories and meditations. He also wrote in Latin, Vox Clam an i is, dealing with the Peasants’ revolt; and in Fr. Speculum Mediianizs, 2 poem on married life. _ without division for legs; now, except for clerical and academic g., appropriated to use of women, and known as dre or frock. EARL OF (1577-1600), Scot. noble; central figure of so-called Gowrie Conspiracy, 2 plot to seize and dethrone or a a inate James VI., who was lured to G.’s house in Perth on Aug. 5, 1600. G. and his younger bro., Alexander Ruthven, were seized by the king’s followers and slain on the spot.