John Skelton was a poet of the English Renaissance. Little is known of his early life, but he was said to have received an education at Oxford University, possibly taking an M.A. degree. He later also earned a degree at Cambridge University, and according to one contemporary, was said to "hath drunken of Elycons well."

He obtained a patron early in his writing career, the Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII. Poems he wrote for her include Of Mannes Lyfe the Peregrynacioun, "Of the death of the noble prince Kynge Edwarde the forth," an elegy on the death of Henry Percy, fourth Earl of Northumberland, and a translation of "Pelerinage de la vie humaine." Later in his career he was appointed tutor to Prince Henry (Henry VIII). Erasmus dedicated an ode to the prince in 1500, and in it he praises Skelton for his literary genius.

Skelton was also an ordained sub-deacon, deacon, and priest. According to historical records, he was apparently imprisoned in 1502, but no reason was recorded. Two years later he retired from court and took up a position as rector of Diss, a position he retained until his death. Interestingly, Skelton often signed his poems as "poet-laureate," but there is no official record suggesting he was awarded that official designation. However, a French contemporary wrote that he had indeed seen a patent declaring Skelton received the appointment from Henry VIII.

Skelton was not a pious rector. Indeed he brought what his parishoners considered great scandal to the parish, as they regarded his preaching more suitable for the stage than the pulpit. He was fond of satire, which may explain the parishoner's reaction. As a priest he was not officially allowed to marry, but kept a secret wife at home. He was often censured by the bishop of the local diocese.

Two bits of Skelton trivia include the fact that he likely came from the same family as Mary Shelton, sometime mistress to Henry VIII and cousin of Anne Boleyn. Skelton also wrote poetry to women who would become mothers to two of Henry VIII's wives. One, Lady Elizabeth Boleyn, mother of Anne Boleyn, and Margaret, mother of Henry's third wife, Jane Seymour.