parte the rather impute to the Justices of the Peace, because at the
same tyme wee gave earnest direction unto you to see it streightly
executed, and to certifie us of the execution, and yet we have neither
understoode of any redresse made by you, nor receaved any certificate
at all of your proceedinges therein, which default or omission wee
do now pray and require you foorthwith to amende, and to cause our
said former order to be putt duely in execution, and especiallie to
call before you the owners of all the other play howses (excepting
the two howses in Middlesex and Surrey aforementioned), and to take
good and sufficient bondes of them not to exercise, use or practise,
nor to suffer from henceforth to be exercised, used or practized any
stage playinge in their howses, and if they shall refuse to enter into
such bondes, then to comitt them to prison untill they shall conforme
themselves. And so, &c.
cxxix.
[1601, Dec. 31. Minute of letter from Privy Council to Lord
Mayor and Aldermen of London, printed by Dasent, xxxii. 468, and
Halliwell-Phillipps, i. 308, from Council Register; also in _M.
S. C._ i. 83, from letter-book copy in _Remembrancia_, ii. 187.]
A letter to the Lord Maiour and Aldermen of London. Wee have receaved
a letter from you renewing a complaint of the great abuse and disorder
within and about the cittie of London by reason of the multitude of
play howses and the inordinate resort and concourse of dissolute
and idle people daielie unto publique stage plaies, for the which
information, as wee do commende your Lordship because it betokeneth
your care and desire to reforme the disorders of the cittie, so wee
must lett you know that wee did muche rather expect to understand that
our order (sett downe and prescribed about a yeare and a half since
for reformation of the said disorders upon the like complaint at that
tyme) had bin duelie executed, then to finde the same disorders and
abuses so muche encreased as they are. The blame whereof, as wee cannot
but impute in great part to the Justices of the Peace or somme of them
in the counties of Middlesex and Surrey, who had speciall direction
and charge from us to see our said order executed for the confines of
the cittie, wherein the most part of those play howses are scituate,
so wee do wishe that it might appeare unto us that any thinge hath
bin endeavoured by the predecessours of you, the Lord Maiour, and by
you, the Aldermen, for the redresse of the said enormities, and for
observation and execution of our said order within the cittie.
Wee do therefore once againe renew heereby our direction unto you (as
wee have donne by our letters to the Justices of Middlesex and Surrey)
concerninge the observation of our former order, which wee do praie and
require you to cause duelie and dilligentlie to be put in execution
for all poyntes thereof, and especiallie for th’expresse and streight
prohibition of any more play howses then those two that are mentioned
and allowed in the said order, charging and streightlie comaunding
all suche persons, as are the owners of any the howses used for stage
plaies within the cittie, not to permitt any more publique plaies to
be used, exercised or shewed from hencefoorth in their said howses,
and to take bondes of them (if you shall finde it needefull) for the
perfourmaunce thereof, or if they shall refuse to enter into bonde or
to observe our said order, then to committ them to prison untill they
shall conforme themselves thereunto. And so praying you, as your self
do make the complaint and finde the ennormitie, so to applie your best
endeavour to the remedie of the abuse, wee bidd, &c.
cxxx.
[1602, March 31. The Privy Council to the Lord Mayor, printed
_M.S.C._ i. 85, from _Remembrancia_, ii. 189.]
[Sidenote: A lettre to the L. Maior for the Bores head to be licensed
for the plaiers.]
After our verey hartie Commendacions to your Lp. We receaued your
lettre, signifieinge some amendment of the abuses or disorders by
the immoderate exercise of Stage plays in and about the Cittie, by
meanes of our late order renued for the restraint of them, and with
all shewinge a speciall inconvenience yet remayneinge, by reason that
the seruants of our verey good L. the Earle of Oxford, and of me the
Earle of Worcester, beinge ioyned by agrement togeather in on Companie
(to whom, vpon noteice of her Maiesties pleasure at the suit of the
Earle of Oxford, tolleracion hath ben thaught meete to be graunted,
notwithstandinge the restraint of our said former Orders), doe not
tye them selfs to one certaine place and howse, but do chainge there
place at there owne disposition, which is as disorderly and offensiue
as the former offence of many howses. And as the other Companies that
are alowed, namely of me the L. Admirall and the L. Chamberlaine, be
appointed there certaine howses, and one and noe more to each Companie.
Soe we doe straightly require that this third Companie be likewise to
one place. And because we are informed the house called the Bores head
is the place they haue especially vsed and doe best like of, we doe
pray and require yow that that said howse, namely the Bores head, may
be assigned onto them, and that they be verey straightlie Charged to
vse and exercise there plaies in noe other but that howse, as they will
looke to haue that tolleracion continued and avoid farther displeasure.
And soe we bid your Lp. hartely farewell, from the Court at Ritchmond
the last of March, 1602.
Your lordshippes verey lovinge friendes,
T Buckurst
E Worcester.
Ihon Stannop:
Io: fortescu.
Notingham
W: Knowlis
Ro: Cecyll.
I: Herbert.
cxxxi.
[1603, March 19. Abstract of Privy Council Minute, printed
Dasent, xxxii. 492, from _Addl. MS._ 11402.]
Letters to the Lord Mayor and Justices of Middlesex and Surrey for the
restraint of stage-plaies till other direction be given.
cxxxii.
[1603, May 7. Extract from _Procl._ 944, printed, with ‘in
their lewd’ for ‘Enterludes’, in Strype, _Annals_, iv. 528.]
And for that we are informed that there hath beene heretofore great
neglect in this kingdome of keeping the Sabbath-day: For better
observing of the same, and avoyding all impious prophanation, we do
straightly charge and commaund, that no Beare-bayting, Bulbayting,
Enterludes, Common Playes, or other like disordered or unlawful
Exercises, or Pastimes, be frequented, kept, or used at any time
hereafter upon the Sabbath-day.
cxxxiii.
[1603, May 19. Patent for King’s men; cf. text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays at the Globe and in convenient places
in towns elsewhere.
cxxxiv.
[1604, Feb. 4. Patent for Children of the Queen’s Revels; cf.
text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays approved by Samuel Daniel in the
Blackfriars or other convenient place.
cxxxv.
[1604, April 9. Privy Council to Lord Mayor of London
and Justices of Middlesex and Surrey, printed by W. W.
Greg, _Henslowe Papers_, 61, from contemporary copy in
_Dulwich MS._ i. 39; also in Collier, _Alleyn Memoirs_, 66;
Halliwell-Phillipps, _Illustrations_, 115, _Outlines_, i. 310.
The abstract of the lost Council Register in _Addl. MS._ 11402
has the note (f. 93^v) ‘9 Ap. 1604 A lettre to the lo: Mayor
& the Iustices of Surrey & Middlesex to suffer the players to
playe againe Lent being past &c’ (Dasent, xxxii. 511; _M. S. C._
i. 371).]
After our hart[ie commendations] to your [Lo.] Wheras the kings
maiesties Plaiers have given ty[ ] hyghnes good service in
ther Quallitie of Playinge, and for as much Lickwise as they are at all
times to be emploied in that Service, whensoever they shalbe Comaunded,
we thinke it therfore fitt, the time of Lent being now Passt, that
your L. doe Permitt and suffer the three Companies of Plaiers to the
King, Queene, and Prince publicklie to Exercise ther Plaies in ther
severall and vsuall howses for that Purpose, and noe other, viz. The
Globe scituate in Maiden lane on the Banckside in the Countie of
Surrey, the Fortun in Golding Lane, and the Curtaine in Hollywell in
the Cowntie of Midlesex, without any lett or interupption in respect of
any former Lettres of Prohibition heertofore written by vs to your Lo.
Except there shall happen weeklie to die of the Plague Aboue the Number
of thirtie within the Cittie of London and the Liberties therof. Att
which time we thinke it fitt they shall Cease and forbeare any further
Publicklie to Playe, vntill the Sicknes be again decreaced to the saide
Number. And so we bid your Lo. hartilie farewell. From the Court at
Whitehalle the ixth of Aprille, 1604.
Your very Loving ffrends
Nottingham
Suffock
Gill Shrowsberie
Ed Worster
W: Knowles
J: Stanhopp
To our verie good L. the Lord Maior of the Cittie of London and to the
Justices of the Peace of the Counties of Midlesex and Surrey. L. Maiore.
cxxxvi.
[1604, July 7. Extracts from _An Acte for the Continuance and
Explanation of the Statute made in the 39 yeere of the Raigne of
our late Queene Elizabeth, intituled An Acte for Punishmente of
Rogues, Vagabondes and Sturdie Beggers_ (_1 Jac. I_, c. _7_),
printed in _Statutes_, iv. 1024. The Act was amended in detail
by _7 Jac. I_, c. 4, in 1610 (_St._ iv. 1159).]
[§ 1.] Whereas by [_39 Eliz._ c. 4] ... it was enacted, That all
persons callinge themselves Scholers goinge aboute begginge, all
Seafaringe men pretending losse of their Shippes or Goods on the Sea,
goinge aboute the Countrie begginge, all idle persons goinge aboute
in any Countrie, either begginge, or usinge any subtile Crafte or
unlawfull Games or Playes, or fayninge themselves to have knowledge in
Phisiognomie Palmestry or other like craftye Science, or pretendinge
that they can tell Destinies Fortunes or such other like fantasticall
Imaginations; all persons that be, or utter themselves to be Proctors
Procurers Patent Gatherers or Collectors for Gaoles Prisons or
Hospitals; all Fencers Bearwardes common Players of Enterludes,
and Minstrels wandringe abroad, (other then Players of Enterludes
belonginge to any Baron of this Realme, or any other honourable
Personage of greater Degree, to be authorized to play under the Hande
and Seale of Armes of such Baron or Personage) shalbe taken adjudged
and deemed as Rogues Vagabondes and Sturdie Beggers, and shall suffer
such Paine and Punishment as in the said Acte is in that behalfe
appointed, as by the same Acte more at large is declared; Sithence the
making of which Acte divers Doubtes and Questions have bene moved and
growen by diversitie of Opinions taken in and upon the letter of the
said Acte: For a plaine Declaration whereof be it declared and enacted,
That from henceforthe no Authoritie to be given or made by any Baron of
this Realme or any other honourable Personage of greater Degree, unto
any other person or persons, shall be availeable to free and discharge
the saide persons, or any of them, from the Paines and Punishmentes in
the saide Statute mentioned, but that they shall be taken within the
Offence and Punishment of the same Statute.
[§ 3.] Amends _39 Eliz_. c. 4, § 4, which provided for banishment of
dangerous rogues, by providing for branding and setting to labour in
place of settlement; a second offence to be felony, without benefit of
clergy.
[§ 6.] Continues _39 Eliz_. c. 4 as amended.
[§ 8.] Reserves privileges of John Dutton.
cxxxvii.
[1604, Oct. 13. Letter of Assistance from the Duke of Lennox for
his players, printed by W. W. Greg from _Dulwich MS._ i. 40, in
_Henslowe Papers_, 62; also in Collier, _Alleyn Memoirs_, 69.]
Sir I am given to vnderstand that youe haue forbidden the Companye of
Players (that call themselues myne) the exercise of their Playes; I
praie youe to forbeare any such course against them, and seeing they
haue my License, to suffer them to continue the vse of their Playes;
and vntill you receaue other significacion from me of them, to afforde
them your favoure and assistance. And so I bidd youe hartely farewell.
From Hampton Courte the xiijth of October, 1604.
Your loving freende
Lenox.
To all maiors, Justeses of peas, Shreefes, Balifes, Constabells and all
other his highnes officers and lofing subiects to whome it shall or may
in any wise appertaine.
[_Addressed_] To my loving freend Mr. Dale esqr. and all other Justeses
whatsoeuer.
cxxxviii.
[N.D. _c._ 1604. Draft royal licence for Queen Anne’s men; cf.
text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays, when the plague-list in London and
the liberties thereof falls to thirty, in the Curtain and Boar’s Head,
and in convenient places in towns elsewhere.
cxxxix.
[1605, Oct. 5. Abstract of Privy Council Minute, printed _M.
S. C._ i. 371, from _Addl. MS._ 11402, f. 107.]
A lettre to the Lord Mayor to forbidde Stage plaies & to take order
that the infectede bee kept in their howses, &c.
Like lettres to the Iustices of the peace of Middlesex & Surrey.
cxl.
[1605, Dec. 15. Abstract of Privy Council Minute, printed _M.
S. C._ i. 372, from _Addl. MS._ 11402, f. 109.]
Lettres to the Lord Mayor, the Iustices of Middlesex and Surrey to
suffer the Kings the Queens and the Princes Players, to play & recite
their enterludes at their accustomed places.
cxli.
[1606, March 7. Signet warrant from Queen Anne for her players;
cf. text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays in London and other towns, except
during divine service, and requires assistance of justices.
cxlii.
[1606, April 30. Patent for Prince Henry’s men; cf. text in Bk.
iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays at the Fortune and in convenient
places in towns elsewhere, with a proviso saving the authority, power,
privileges, and profits of the Master of the Revels.
cxliii.
[1606, May 27. _An Acte to Restraine Abuses of Players_ (_3 Jac.
I_, c. 21), printed in _Statutes_, iv. 1097; also in Hazlitt,
_E. D. S._ 42.]
For the preventing and avoyding of the greate Abuse of the Holy Name
of God in Stagelayes, Interludes, May-games, Shewes, and such like;
Be it enacted by our Soveraigne Lorde the Kinges Majesty, and by the
Lordes Spirituall and Temporall, and Commons in this present Parliament
assembled, and by the authoritie of the same, That if at any tyme or
tymes, after the end of this present Session of Parliament, any person
or persons doe or shall in any Stage play, Interlude, Shewe, May-game,
or Pageant jestingly or prophanely speake or use the holy Name of God
or of Christ Jesus, or of the Holy Ghoste or of the Trinitie, which
are not to be spoken but with feare and reverence, [? such person
or persons] shall forfeite for everie such Offence by hym or them
committed Tenne Pounds, the one moytie thereof to the Kinges Majestie,
his Heires and Successors, the other moytie thereof to hym or them that
will sue for the same in any Courte of Recorde at Westminster, wherein
no essoigne, Proteccion or Wager of Lawe shalbe allowed.
cxliv.
[1607, April 12. The Lord Mayor to the Earl of Suffolk, Lord
Chamberlain, printed _M. S. C._ i. 87, from _Remembrancia_, ii.
283.]
[Sidenote: Concerninge the Infection of the Plague.]
My humble dutie remembred to your good Lp: Whereas it pleaseth god
that the Infeccion of sicknes is for theis two or three weekes of
late somewhat increased in the Skirtes and Confines of this Cittie,
and by the vntymely heate of this season may spreade further then
can hereafter be easelie prevented, My humble desier is that your
Lp: for the preventinge of soe great a danger will vouchsafe your
honourable favour in two speciall pointes concerninge this Matter.
First in restrayninge such comon Stage Plaies, as are Daylie shewed and
exercised and doe occasion the great Assembleis of all sortes of people
in the suburbes and partes adioyninge to this Cittie, and cannot be
continiewed but with apparant daunger of the encrease of the sicknes.
Secoundly, Whereas it appeareth by the Certificate that the said
Skirtes and out Partes of the Cittie are more subiecte to the Infection
then any other Places. That your Honours will please to give order to
the Iustices of Middlesex to put in due execution such ordenances as
are formerly by your Lordshippes recomended vnto them in this behalfe,
especially that there may be a better care hade of White Chappell,
Shorditch, Clarken-Well and such other remote Partes then formerly hath
ben accustomed. And that there may some speciall Officers be appointed
to see good order kept and obserued in those Places, where there is noe
Justice of Peace resident or nere there biwaies to looke to the same.
Which beinge accordingly performed in the out Skirtes of this Cittie,
My desier is that your Lp: will rest satisfied and assuered of oure
carefullnes here within the Cittie and Lyberties thereof to the vtmost
of our Indeauour, as is fittinge a matter of such Consequence. And soe
most humblie I take my leaue And rest
Aprill 12, 1607. Your Lps: most humble.
To the right honourable my very good Lo: the Earle of Suffolke Lo:
Chamberlaine of his Maiesties House.
cxlv.
[1608, Dec. 20. Entry in Gaol Delivery Register of Justices for
Middlesex, printed by J. C. Jeaffreson, _Middlesex County
Records_, ii. 47.]
Recognizances, taken before Sir William Waad knt. J.P., Lieutenant
of the Tower of London, of Daniel Hitch of Whitechappell yeoman and
James Waters of Eastsmythfeilde ironmounger, in the sum of ten pounds
each, and of William Claiton of Eastsmythfeilde victualler, in the sum
of twenty pounds; For the appearance of the said William Claiton at
the next Session of the Peace, to answer for sufferinge playes to bee
played in his house in the night season.
cxlvi.
[1609, April 15. Patent for Queen Anne’s men; cf. text in Bk.
iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays at the Red Bull and Curtain and
in convenient places in towns elsewhere, with a proviso saving the
authority, power, privileges and profits of the Master of the Revels.
cxlvii.
[1610, Jan. 4. Patent for the Children of the Queen’s Revels;
cf. text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays in the Whitefriars or other convenient
place.
cxlviii.
[1610, March 30. Patent for the Duke of York’s men; cf. text in
Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays in houses and about London and
in convenient places in towns elsewhere, with proviso saving the
authority, power, privilege and profit of the Master of the Revels.
cxlix.
[1611, April 27. Patent for the Lady Elizabeth’s men; cf. text
in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to perform plays in houses in and about London and
in convenient places in towns elsewhere, with proviso saving the
authority, power, privilege and profit of the Master of the Revels.
cl.
[1612, Oct. 1. Order at General Session of the Peace for
Middlesex held at Westminster, printed from Sessions Rolls in J.
C. Jeaffreson, _Middlesex County Records_, ii. 83.]
An Order for suppressinge of Jigges att the ende of Playes--Whereas
Complaynte have [_sic_] beene made at this last Generall Sessions,
that by reason of certayne lewde Jigges songes and daunces vsed and
accustomed at the playhouse called the Fortune in Gouldinglane,
divers cutt-purses and other lewde and ill disposed persons in greate
multitudes doe resorte thither at th’end of euerye playe, many tymes
causinge tumultes and outrages wherebye His Majesties peace is often
broke and much mischiefe like to ensue thereby, Itt was hereuppon
expresselye commaunded and ordered by the Justices of the said benche,
That all Actors of euerye playhouse within this cittye and liberties
thereof and in the Countye of Middlesex that they and euerie of them
utterlye abolishe all Jigges Rymes and Daunces after their playes,
And not to tollerate permitt or suffer anye of them to be used vpon
payne of ymprisonment and puttinge downe and suppressinge of theire
playes, And such further punishment to be inflicted upon them as their
offences shall deserve, And that if any outrage tumult or like disorder
as aforesaid should be committed or done, that then the partyes so
offending should forthwith be apprehended and punished accordinge
to their demeritt. For the better suppressinge of which abuses and
outrages, These are to will and require you and in His Majesties name
streightelye to charge and commaunde you that you diligently and
stryctlye looke vnto the performaunce of the same order, And that if
either the players do persiste and contynewe their sayd Jigges daunces
or songes as aforesayd or any disordered persons doe committ or attempt
any violence or outrage in or about the sayd playe-houses, That then
you apprehend all and euerie such person of either kind so offendinge
and forthwith bringe them before me or some other of his Majesties
Justices of Peace to answeare their contemptes and further to be dealt
[with] as to Justice shall appertayne.--By the Court. S. P. Reg.
cli.
[1612, Nov. 8. The Privy Council to the Lord Mayor, printed _M.
S. C._ i. 88, from _Remembrancia_, iii. 64.]
[Sidenote: From the Lordes, for the suppressinge of Stage plaies,
Bearebaytinges and idle shewes, vpon the death of Prince Henry.]
After our very hartie Commendacions to your Lordshipp. Whereas it hath
pleased the Almightie God to take awaie the most Noble and Worthie
Prince of Wales, to the exceedinge greate sorrowe and Greef, aswell of
theire Maiesties, as of all theire deere and lovinge Subiectes. And
that these tymes doe not suite with such playes and idle shewes, as are
daily to be seene in and neere the cittie of London, to the scandall
of Order and good governement at all occasions when they are most
tollerable. As wee haue allreadie addressed lettres to the Iustices of
peace of Middlesex and Surrey for the suppressinge of any playes or
shewes whatsoever within those Counties, soe wee doe hereby require
your Lpp. to take speedie and speciall order for the prohibitinge of
all Playes, shewes, Bearebaytinges, or any other such sighte, within
that cittie and liberties thereof, and vtterlie to restraine the vse
and exercise thereof, vntill you shall receave further order from vs.
And if you shall finde anie person offendinge therein, to commytt him
or them to Prison without favour or connyvauncie, and to acquainte
vs therewith. And soe wee bidd your Lordshipp Hartelie farewell. From
Whitehall the viijth of November, 1612.
Your Lps. verie loving Frindes,
T. Ellesmore Cancellarius.
E. Wotton:
H: Northampton:
Stanhop.
T. Suffolk:
clii.
[1613, Jan. 11. Patent for the Elector Palatine’s men; cf. Bk.
iii, and text in _M. S. C._ i. 275.]
Gives authority to perform plays at the Fortune and in convenient
places in towns elsewhere, with proviso saving the authority, power,
privileges and profits of the Master of the Revels.
cliii.
[1613, July 13. Extract by Sir Henry Herbert from an office-book
of Sir George Buck, printed in _Variorum_, iii. 52, and
Adams, _Herbert_ 42.]
For a license to erect a new playhouse in the White-friers, &c. £20.
cliv.
[1615, March 29. Minute of Privy Council, printed from Register
in _M. S. C._ i. 372; also in Collier, i. 380.]
A warrant to John Sentie one of the Messingers. Whereas John Hemminges,
Richard Burbidge, Christopher Beeston, Robert Lee, William Rowley,
John Newton, Thomas Downton, Humphry Ieffs with others Stageplayers
in and about the Citty of London have presumed notwithstanding the
commaundement of the Lord Chamberlayne signified vnto them by the
Master of the Revells to play this prohibited time of Lent. Theese
are therefore to will and commaund yowe to make your repayre vnto the
persons abouenamed, and to charge them in his Maiesties name to make
their appearance heere before vs of his Maiesties Privie Councell on
ffriday next at 8 of the Clocke in the forenoone without any excuse or
delay. And in the meane time that neither they, nor the rest of their
Company presume to present any Playes or interludes, as they will
answere the contrary at their perills.
clv.
[1615, June 3. Patent for erection of Porter’s Hall; cf. text in
Bk. iv.]
Gives authority to the patentees of the Queen’s Revels to build a
playhouse for the Queen’s Revels, at Porter’s Hall in Blackfriars, and
for the performance of plays by the Queen’s Revels, Prince Charles’s
men, and the Lady Elizabeth’s men therein.
clvi.
[1615, July 13. Patent for the Children of the Queen’s Chamber
of Bristol; cf. text in Bk. iii.]