I am studying about Milton in Norton anthology and I can not understand a part..would you please help me?

Question

It is written : It is scarcely possible to treat Miltons career separately from the history of England in his lifetime, not only because he was an active participant in affairs of church and state, but also because when he signed himself, as he often did, "John Milton, Englishman", he was presenting himself as Englands prophetic bard, the spokesman for the nation as a whole even when he found himself in a minority of one.

I didnt understand the part that it says "prophetic bard",and the last sentence...can you explain it for me please?

Answer 1

Prophetic: or or relating to be a prophet - someone how can tell the future

Bard: a professional story teller

 

A dictionary is a wonderful thing to use!