He is best known by his heroic poem _Gondibert_, founded upon the reign of King Aribert of Lombardy, in the seventh century.

The French taste which he brought back from his exile, is shown in his own dramas, and in his efforts to restore the theatre at the Restoration.

His best plays are the _Cruel Brother_ and _The Law against Lovers_.

He was knighted by Charles I., and succeeded Ben Jonson as poet laureate.

On his monument in Westminster Abbey are these words: "O rare Sir William Davenant." Charles Cotton, 1630-1687: he was a wit and a poet, and is best known as the friend of Izaak Walton.