which for couetousness cheefely, regard not what they print, so
they may haue gaine, whereby ariseth great disorder by publication
of vnfruitefull, vaine, and infamous bookes and papers, the Queenes
maiestie straitlye chargeth and commaundeth, that no manner of person
shall print any manner of booke or paper, of what sort, nature or in
what language soeuer it be, excepte the same be firste licensed by
her maiestie, by expresse wordes in writing, or by six of her priuie
counsel: or be perused and licensed by the Archbishops of Canterburie
and Yorke, the Bishop of London, the Chauncelors of both Vniuersities,
the Bishop being Ordinarye and the Archdeacon also of the place, where
any such shal be printed or by two of them, wherof the Ordinarie of the
place to be alwayes one. And that the names of such as shall allowe
the same to bee added in the end of euery such worke, for a testimonie
of the alowance thereof. And because many pamphlets, playes and
ballads, bee oftentimes printed, wherein regarde would bee had, that
nothing therein should be either heretical, seditious, or vnseemely
for Christian eares: her maiestie likewise commaundeth, that no manner
of person shall enterprise to print any such, excepte the same bee to
him licensed by suche her maiesties Commissioners, or three of them,
as be appointed in the Cittie of London, to heare and determine diuers
causes Ecclesiasticall, tending to the execution of certaine statutes,
made the last Parliament for vniformitie of order in Religion. And
if any shall sell or vtter any maner of bookes or papers, being not
licensed, as is aboue sayd: that the same partie shalbe punished by
order of the saide Commissioners, as to the qualitie of the fault
shalbe thought meete. And touching all other bookes of matters of
religion, or pollicie, or gouernance, that hath bene printed eyther on
this side the seas, or on the other side, because the diuersitie of
them is great, and that there nedeth good consideration to be had of
the particularities thereof, her maiestie referreth the prohibition
or permission thereof, to the order whiche her sayde Commissioners
within the Cittie of London shall take and notifie. Accordinge to the
whiche, her maiestie straitly commaundeth all maner her subiectes, and
especially the Wardens and company of Stationers to be obedient.
Prouided that these orders doe not extende to any prophane aucthors,
and works in any language that hath ben heretofore commonly receiued
or allowed in any of the vniuersities or schooles, but the same may be
printed and vsed as by good order they were accustomed.
[From appended Articles of Enquiry for diocesan visitations.]
Item, whether you know any person in your parish ... that hath
invented, bruited, or set forth any rumours, false and seditious
tales, slanders, or makers, bringers, buyers, sellers, keepers, or
conveyors of any unlawful books, which might stir or provoke sedition,
or maintain superstitious service within this realm, or any aiders,
counsellors, procurers, or maintainers thereunto.
Item, whether any minstrels or any other persons do use to sing or
say any songs or ditties that be vile or unclean, and especially in
derision of any godly order now set forth and established.
xiii.
[1559, July 19. Extract from Patent for the establishment of the
High Commission for ecclesiastical causes, printed by Gee, 147,
from _Patent Roll, 1 Eliz._ p. 9, m. 23 dorso; also in Cardwell,
_Documentary Annals_, i. 255. There were later commissions of 20
July 1562 (heads from _S. P. D. Eliz._ xxvi. 41, in Gee, 178),
1572 (_P. R. 14 Eliz._ p. 8), 23 April 1576 (text in Strype,
_Grindal_, 543), 1583 (cf. Strype, _Whitgift_, i. 268), and
1601 (text from _P. R. 43 Eliz._ p. 16, m. 37 dorso, in Rymer,
xvi. 400). That of 1562 seems to have followed the model of
1559; those of 1576 and 1601 give a jurisdiction over seditious
books similar to that of 1559, but omit the provision as to
vagrants in London, which was doubtless made unnecessary by the
legislation of 1572 (cf. No. xxiv).]
Elizabeth, by the grace of God, &c., to the Reverend Father in God
Matthew Parker nominated Bishop of Canterbury, and Edmond Grindall
nominated Bishop of London [and others] greeting. Where at our
Parliament ... there was two Acts and Statutes made and established,
the one entitled An Act for the Uniformity of Common Prayer ... and the
other entitled An Act restoring to the Crown the Ancient Jurisdiction
of the State Ecclesiastical and Spiritual ... and where divers
seditious and slanderous persons do not cease daily to invent and set
forth false rumours, tales, and seditious slanders, not only against
us and the said good laws and statutes, but also have set forth divers
seditious books within this our realm of England, meaning thereby to
move and procure strife, division, and dissension amongst our loving
and obedient subjects, much to the disquieting of us and our people:
Wherefore we ... have authorized, assigned, and appointed you to be
our Commissioners, and by these presents do give our full power and
authority to you or six of you ... to inquire ... for all offences,
misdoers, and misdemeanours ... contrary to the tenor and effect of the
said several Acts and Statutes, and either of them; and also of all and
singular heretical opinions, seditious books, contempts, conspiracies,
false rumours, tales, seditious misbehaviours, slanderous words or
showings published, invented or set forth or hereafter to be published,
invented or set forth by any person or persons against us or contrary
or against any the laws or statutes of this our realm, or against the
quiet governance and rule of our people and subjects in any county,
city, or borough or other place or places within this our realm of
England, and of all and every the coadjutors, counsellors, comforters,
procurers and abettors of every such offender; and ... to hear and
determine all the premises ... and to visit, reform, redress, order,
correct and amend ... errors, heresies, crimes, abuses, offences,
contempts and enormities spiritual and ecclesiastical ... and to
inquire of and search out all ruleless men, quarrellers, vagrants and
suspect persons within our city of London and ten miles compass about
the same city, and of all assaults and frays done and committed within
the same city and the compass aforesaid.
xiv.
[1563, Sept. 30. Precept from Lord Mayor to Aldermen, noted,
apparently from _Journal, Lodge_, No. 18, f. 184, in ‘Abstract
of Several Orders relating to the Plague’ (_Addl. MS._ 4376, f.
52); cf. Creighton, i. 317.]
Another to prohibit all interludes & playes during the Infection.
xv.
1564, Feb. 23. Extract from letter of Edmund Grindal, Bishop of
London, at Paul’s, to Sir W. Cecil, printed _M. S. C._ i. 148,
from _Lansd. MS._ 7, f. 141; also in Grindal, _Remains_ (1843),
269; Wright, i. 166.]
Mr. Calfhill this mornynge shewed me your letter to him, wherin ye
wishe some politike orders to be devised agaynste Infection. I thinke
it verie necessarie, and wille doo myne endevour bothe by exhortation,
and otherwise. I was readye to crave your helpe for that purpose afore,
as one nott vnmyndefulle of the parishe.
By searche I doo perceive, thatt ther is no one thinge off late is
more lyke to have renewed this contagion, then the practise off an
idle sorte off people, which have ben infamouse in all goode common
weales: I meane these Histriones, common playours; who now daylye, butt
speciallye on holydayes, sett vp bylles, whervnto the youthe resorteth
excessively, & ther taketh infection: besydes that goddes worde by
theyr impure mowthes is prophaned, and turned into scoffes; for remedie
wheroff in my iugement ye shulde do verie well to be a meane, that a
proclamation wer sette furthe to inhibitte all playes for one whole
yeare (and iff itt wer for ever, it wer nott amisse) within the Cittie,
or 3. myles compasse, vpon paynes aswell to the playours, as to the
owners off the howses, wher they playe theyr lewde enterludes.
xvi.
[1569, May 12. City precept, printed in Harrison, iv. 315, from
_Journal_, xix, f. 167^v.]
[Sidenote: A precept for no playes to be played from the last day of
May 1569, vntill the last day of September then next following.
And also for beting clothes in wyndowes & other places next the streat.
Intratur.]
Forasmuch as thoroughe the greate resort, accesse and assembles of
great multitudes of people vnto diuerse and seuerall Innes and other
places of this Citie, and the liberties & suburbes of the same, to
thentent to here and see certayne stage playes, enterludes, and other
disguisinges, on the Saboth dayes and other solempne feastes commaunded
by the church to be kept holy, and there being close pestered together
in small romes, specially in this tyme of sommer, all not being and
voyd of infeccions and diseases, whereby great infeccion with the
plague, or some other infeccious diseases, may rise and growe, to the
great hynderaunce of the comon wealth of this citty, and perill and
daunger of the quenes maiesties people, the inhabitantes thereof, and
all others repayryng thether, about there necessary affares; ... Thes
are, in the quenes maiesties name, streightly to charge and commaund,
that no mannour of parson or parsons whatsoeuer, dwelling or inhabiting
within this citie of London liberties and suburbes of the same, being
Inkepers, Tablekepers, Tauernours, hall-kepers, or bruers, Do or shall,
from and after the last daye of this moneth of May nowe next ensuinge,
vntill the last day of September then next following, take vppon him
or them to set fourth, eyther openly or privatly, anny stage play or
interludes, or to permit or suffer to be set fourth or played within
his or there mansion howse, yarde, court, garden, orchard, or other
place or places whatsoeuer, within this Cittye of London, the liberties
or suburbes of the same, any mannour of stage play, enterlude, or other
disguising whatsoeuer.... And fayle ye not herof, as ye tender the
welth of this citie, and the health of the quenes maiesties people, her
highnes good fauour and pleasure, and will aunswere for the contrary at
your vttermost perills. Yeouen at the guild hall of London, the xij of
May, 1569. God save the Quene.
xvii.
[1571, Nov. 27. Minute of City Court of Aldermen, printed in
Harrison, iv. 317, from _Repertory_, xvii, f. 236^v.]
[Sidenote: Intratur.
Preceptes to be made.]
Item, it was ordered that preceptes shalbe made to euery of my Masters
thaldermen, that they from henceforth suffre no playe or enterlude to
be played within the precynctes of there seuerall wardes vpon Sondaies,
holly daies, or other daie of the weke, or ells at nyght of any of the
same daies, till suche tyme as other order by this courte shalbe taken
in that behalf.
xviii.
[1571, Dec. 6. Minute of Court of Aldermen, printed in Harrison,
iv. 318, from _Repertory_, xvii, f. 239^v.]
[Sidenote: My Lord of Leicesters men licensed to playe.]
Item, this daye, licence is geven to my lord of Leicesters men to
playe within this Citie such matters as are alowed of to be played, at
convenient howers & tymes, so that it be not in tyme of devyne service.
xix.
[1572, Jan. 3. Abstract of Proclamation for the Execution of the
Laws made against Unlawful Retainers (_Procl._ 663); for text
cf. _M. S. C._ i. 350.]
Requires justices of assise to enforce after 20 Feb. 1572 the statutes
against unlawful retainers, and in particular _3 Hen. VII_ (1487), c.
12, one of several statutes confirming _8 Hen. VI_ (1429), c. 4, which
forbade the giving of any livery of cloths or hat by a lord to other
than his menials and lawyers (_R. O. Statutes of the Realm_, ii. 240,
522).
xx.
[1572, _c._ Jan. Letter to the Earl of Leicester from his
Players; cf. text in Bk. iii.]
Requests that they may be retained as ‘houshold servaunts and daylie
wayters’, in view of the recent proclamation (No. xix, _supra_), and
may continue to have their lord’s license to certify the same when they
travel.
xxi.
[1572, Jan. 29. Minute of Court of Aldermen, printed in
Harrison, iv. 318, from _Repertory_, xvii, f. 263^v.]
[Sidenote: My lord of Burgaueneys players.]
Item, it is further granted at the like request [of Sir Thomas Gresham]
that my lord of Burgaueneys players shall play within this Citie
duringe my lordes Maiours pleasure.
xxii.
[1572. Extract from MS. _Chronologie_ of William Harrison, s.a.
1572, printed in Harrison, i. liv. The entries continue to 1593,
and this one was probably written after the building of the
Theatre and Curtain in 1576.]
1572. Plaies are banished for a time out of London, lest the resort
vnto them should ingender a plague, or rather disperse it, being alredy
begonne. Would to god these comon plaies were exiled for altogether, as
semenaries of impiety, & their theaters pulled downe, as no better then
houses of baudrie. It is an euident token of a wicked time when plaiers
wexe so riche that they can build suche houses. As moche I wish also to
our comon beare baitinges vsed on the Sabaothe daies.
xxiii.
[1572, May 20. Minute of City Court of Aldermen, printed in
Harrison, iv. 318, from _Repertory_, xvii, f. 316.]
[Sidenote: The Counsells Lettres for Plaies & Commodies. Intratur.]
Item, this daie, after the readyng of the Lordes of the Quenes
Maiesties most honorable Counselles Letters, written in the favor of
certein persones to haue in there howses, yardes, or back sydes, being
overt & open places, such playes, enterludes, commedies, & tragedies
as maye tende to represse vyce & extoll vertwe, for the recreacion of
the people, & therby to drawe them from sundrye worser exercyses, The
matter theerof being first examyned, sene & allowed, by such discrete
person or persones as shalbe by the Lord Maiour thervnto appoynted, and
takyng bondes of the said houskeapars not to suffer the same playes to
be in the tyme of devyne service, & vpon other condicions in the same
Letters specified:
Item, it was agreed that Master Townclark shall devyse a letter for
answer of thother, to be sent vnto my Lord Burleighe, signifiing to his
honour, that it is thought very perillous (considering the tyme of the
yere & the heat of the weather) to haue such conventicles of people
by such meanes called together, wherof the greatest number are of the
meanest sorte, beseching his honour, yf it maye so seame him good, to
be a meane wherby the same, for a tyme, may be forborne.
xxiv.
[1572, June 29. Extract from _An Acte for the punishement of
Vacabondes and for Releif of the Poore & Impotent_ (_14 Eliz._
c. 5), printed in _Statutes_, iv. 590. The Act was continued and
amended in detail by _18 Eliz._ c. 3 in 1576 (_St._ iv. 610) and
continued by _37 Eliz._ c. 11 in 1584–5 (_St._ iv. 718).]
[§ 2.] ... All & every person and persons whatsoever they bee, being
above thage of fourtene yeres, being hereafter sett foorth by this Acte
of Parliament to bee Roges Vacabonds or Sturdy Beggers, and bee at any
tyme after the Feaste of Sainte Bartholomewe the Apostle next comming
[24 Aug.] taken begging in any parte of this Realme, or taken vagrant
wandring and misordering themselves contrary to the purport of this
present Acte of Parliament in any part of the same, shall uppon their
Apprehention be brought before one of the Justices of the Peece or
Maior or Cheef Officer of Cities Boroughes and Townes Corporate within
the Countye Cytye Boroughe or Towne Corporate, where the Apprehention
shall happen to bee ... to bee presentlye commytted to ... Gaole ... or
... Prison ... untyll the next Sessions of the Peace or Generall Gaole
Delivery.... At whiche Sessions or Gaole Delyverye yf suche person or
persones bee duelye convict of his or her Rogishe or Vacabondes Trade
of Lyef ... that then ymmedyatlye he or shee shalbe adjudged to bee
grevouslye whipped, and burnte through the gristle of the right Eare
with a hot Yron of the compasse of an Ynche about, manifestinge his or
her rogyshe kynde of Lyef, and his or her Punyshment receaved for the
same ... which Judgment shall also presentlye bee executed, Except some
honest person ... wyll of his Charitye be contented presentlye to take
suche Offendour before the same Justices into his Service for one whole
yere next followinge.
[§ 4.] ... Yf after the said Punyshment executed or Judgement gyven,
the said persone ... do eftsones fall againe to any kynde of Rogyshe
or Vacabonde Trade of Lyef, that then the said Roge Vacabonde or
Sturdy Begger from thenceforthe to be taken adjudged & demed in all
respectes as a Felon; and shall in all Degrees receave have suffer
and forfayte as a Felon, excepte some honest person ... wyll ... take
him or her into his Service for two whole yeres.... And yf suche Roge
or Vacabounde ... eftsones the third tyme fall againe to a kynde of
Rogyshe or Vacabounde Trade of Lyef, that then suche Roge or Vacabound
shalbe adjudged & deemed for a Felon, and suffer paynes of Death and
losse of Land and Goodes as a Felon without Allowance or Benefyte of
Cleargye or Sanctuary.
[§ 5.] ... All and everye persone and persones beynge whole and mightye
in Body and able to labour, havinge not Land or Maister, nor using
any lawfull Marchaundize Crafte or Mysterye whereby hee or shee might
get his or her Lyvinge, and can gyve no reckninge howe he or shee
dothe lawfully get his or her Lyvinge; & all Fencers Bearewardes Comon
Players in Enterludes & Minstrels, not belonging to any Baron of this
Realme or towardes any other honorable Personage of greater Degree;
all Juglers Pedlars Tynkers and Petye Chapmen; whiche seid Fencers
Bearewardes Comon Players in Enterludes Mynstrels Juglers Pedlers
Tynkers & Petye Chapmen, shall wander abroade and have not Lycense
of two Justices of the Peace at the leaste, whereof one to be of the
Quorum, when and in what Shier they shall happen to wander ... shalbee
taken adjudged and deemed Roges Vacaboundes and Sturdy Beggers.
[§ 12.] Provided alwayes, That yt shalbe lawfull to the Lord
Chauncelour or Lorde Keper of the Greate Seale of England for the tyme
beinge to make Lycence under the said Greate Seale, as heretofore hath
benne accustomed, and that the said Lycence and Lycences shall as
largely extend as the Contentes of them wyll beare; any thing herein to
the contrary in any wyse notwithstandinge.
[§ 39.] Provided alwayes, That ... yt maye and shall be lawfull to the
Justice and Justices of Peace, Maior Baylyffes and other Head Officers
of those Cytyes, Boroughes Places and Townes Corporate where there bee
Justice or Justices, to proceed to the execucion of this Acte within
the Precinct and Compasse of their Liberties, in suche manner & fourme
as the Justices of Peace in any Countye may or ought to doo within the
same Countye by vertue of this Acte, any Matter or Thinge in this Acte
expressed to the contrary therof notwithstandinge.
[§ 42.] Provided alwayes, That this Acte or any Thing therein
contayned, or any aucthoritye thereby given, shall not in any wyse
extend to dysheneryte prejudice or hinder John Dutton of Dutton in
the Countye of Chester Esquier, his Heires or Assignes, for towching
or concerninge any Libertye Priviledge Preheminence Aucthoritie
Jurisdiccion or Inheritaunce which the sayd John Dutton nowe lawfully
useth or hathe, or lawfully may or ought to use within the County
Palatyne of Chester and the Countye of the Cyte of Chester, or eyther
of them, by reason of any anncient Charteres of any Kinges of this
Land, or by reason of any Prescription or other lawfull Usage or Tytle
whatsoever.
xxv.
[1573, July. Privy Council Minutes, printed in Dasent, viii.
131, 132.]
(_a_) [July 14]
A letter to the Lord Mayour of London to permitte libertie to certein
Italian plaiers to make shewe of an instrument of strainge motiones
within the Citie.
(_b_) [July 19]
A letter to the Lord Mayour to graunt libertie to certein Italians to
make shewe of an instrument there, merveling that he did it not at
their first request.
xxvi.
[1574, March 2. Lord Mayor and Aldermen of London to Lord
Chamberlain Sussex, printed from _Cotton MS._ Roll xvi. 41, in
Collier, i. 206; also by S. Ayscough in _Gentleman’s Magazine_,
lxii, 1, 412; Hazlitt, _E. D. S._ 23.]
Our dutie to your good L. humbly done. Whereas your Lord. hath made
request in favour of one Holmes for our assent that he might have the
appointment of places for playes and enterludes within this citie, it
may please your L. to reteine undoubted assurance of our redinesse to
gratifie, in any thing that we reasonably may, any persone whom your
L. shall favor and recommend. Howbeit this case is such, and so nere
touching the governance of this citie in one of the greatest matters
thereof, namely the assemblies of multitudes of the Queenes people,
and regard to be had to sundry inconveniences, whereof the peril is
continually, upon everie occasion, to be foreseen by the rulers of this
citie, that we cannot, with our duties, byside the precident farre
extending to the hart of our liberties, well assent that the sayd
apointment of places be committed to any private persone. For which,
and other reasonable considerations, it hath long since pleased your
good L. among the rest of her Majesties most honourable Counsell, to
rest satisfied with our not granting to such persone as, by their most
honourable lettres, was heretofore in like case commended to us. Byside
that, if it might with reasonable convenience be granted, great offres
have been, and be made for the same to the relefe of the poore in the
hospitalles, which we hold as assured, that your L. will well allow
that we prefer before the benefit of any private person. And so we
committ your L. to the tuition of Almighty God. At London, this second
of March, 1573.
Your L. humble
Wm. Box.
Thomas Blanke.
Nicholas Woodrof.
Anthony Gamage.
Wyllm Kympton.
Wolstan Dixe.
John Ryvers, Maior.
Row. Hayward, Alder.
William Allyn, Alderman.
Leonell Ducket, Aldr.
James Haloys, Alderman.
Ambrose Nich’as, Ald.
Jhon Langley, Ald.
Thomas Ramsey.
Wyllym Lond.
John Clyffe.
Richard Pype.
To the most honourable our singular good Lord, the Erle of Sussex, Lord
Chamberlan of the Queens most honourable Houshold.
xxvii.
[1574, March 22. Minute of Privy Council, printed from Register
in Dasent, viii. 215.]
A letter to the Lord Mayour of London to advertise their Lordships what
causes he hath to restraine plaies, to thintent their Lordships may the
better aunswer suche as desyre to have libertye for the same.
xxviii.
[1574, May 10. Patent for Leicester’s men; cf. text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform music, and plays seen and allowed by the
Master of the Revels, both in London and elsewhere, except during the
time of common prayer, or of plague in London.
xxix.
[1574, July 22. Minute of Privy Council, printed from Register
in Dasent, viii. 273.]
A letter to the Mayor of London to admitte the comedie plaiers to play
within that Cittie and to be otherwise favorablie used.
A pasport for them to go to London, and to be well used in their
voyadge.
xxx.
(_a_)
[1574, Nov. 15. Minute of Privy Council, printed from Register
in Dasent, viii. 313.
Three letters of one effect to the Sherif and Justices of the counties
of Middlesex, Essex and Surrey to restraine all plaiers and other
unnecessarie assemblies, in respect of the plague, within x miles of
London untill Esther next.
(_b_)
[1574, Nov. 15. Extract from report on papers of W. M. Molyneux
_Hist. MSS._ vii. 627).]
Letter from Lords of the Council to the Sheriff and Justices of the
Peace of co. Surrey. Ordering ‘that there be no plays shewes nor any
such unnecessarie assemblies vsed in that countie within ten myles of
the cytie vntill Easter next vppon payne of imprisonment to such as
shall in any wies offend to the contrarie’: it having been ‘found by
experience that very great perill and inconveniences hath fallen vppon
sondry of the queenes maiesties subjects by the sufferance of great
assemblies of the people to come together at plaies and shewes neare
London in this tyme of contagion and infection of the plague’.
xxxi.
[1574, _c._ Nov. Extract from _An Exhortation, or Rule, sett
downe by one Mr. (Thomas) Norton, sometyme Remembrauncer of
London, wherebie the L. Maior of Lo. is to order himselfe and
the Cittie_, printed by Collier, _Illustrations_, iii. 14, from
a manuscript of Sir Christopher Hatton, now _Addl. MS._ 32379,
f. 36, and datable by a mention of James Hawes (1574–5) as
mayor.]
And one note out of place, that showld before have bene spoken: the
presente time requirithe yowe to have good care and use good meanes
towchinge the contagion of sickenes, that the sicke be kept from the
whole, that the places of persons infected be made plaine to be knowen
and the more releeved; that sweetenes and holsomnes of publique places
be provided for; that unnecessarie and scarslie honeste resorts to
plaies, to shewes to thoccasion of thronges and presse, except to
the servyce of God; and especiallie the assemblies to the unchaste,
shamelesse and unnaturall tomblinge of the Italion Weomen maye be
avoided: to offend God and honestie is not to cease a plague.
xxxii.
[1574, Dec. 6. Act of Common Council of London during the
mayoralty of Sir James Hawes, printed _M. S. C._ i. 175,
from copy in _Lansd. MS._ 20, enclosed with reply of City
to Petition of Queen’s men _c._ Nov. 1584 (cf. No. lxxv);
also in Collier, i. 208; Hazlitt, _E. D. S._ 27. I suppose
that this is the record of 1574 on plays cited from _Liber
Legum_, x. 363, in _V. H. London_, i. 322.]