GREENWICH PALACE
As far back as the year 1300, a royal palace was in existence at Greenwich. Nothing is known of this early building until the end of the reign of Henry IV. Afterwards it came into the possession of the Duke of Gloucester, who beautified the place and considerably extended the grounds, calling the palace Palacentia, on account of its sweet and pleasing aspect.
Greenwich Palace in the time of Elizabeth.
Henry VIII was born here, and in after years his birthplace was an object of his special devotion, he spending much of his time and income on enlarging the building and laying out the grounds.
In the great Hall many feasts and entertainments were held, these occasions being specially noted for the lavishness and splendour displayed. This monarch greatly encouraged the performing of the Masque, then newly imported from Italy. “On the day of the Epiphany, at night, the King, with eleven others, were disguised after the manner of Italy, called a masque a thing not seen before in England, they were apparelled in garments long and broad wrought all in gold.” The King himself took part in these gorgeous displays. Queen Elizabeth was also born at Greenwich; like her royal father, she was much attached to the palace and greatly enlarged the edifice. The Presence Chamber was hung with rich tapestries, and the floor, as was usual in those days, was strewn with rushes.
Plays were frequently acted at this palace, Greenwich being a favourite residence of Queen Elizabeth. In 1584, the Queen’s players acted before Her Majesty here on St. Stephen’s Day at night; the next day the Earl of Oxenford’s plays were performed before the Queen, the play presented being “The History of Agamemnon and Ulysses”; this play was acted on St. John’s Day at night. The St. John’s Day mentioned is in celebration of the Evangelist of that name whose birth is honoured on the 27th of December; this saint must not be confused with John the Baptist, whose name day is celebrated both on the 24th of June and the 29th of August. The play acted on St. Stephen’s Day was “Phylbyda and Corin.”
1585. A play called “Felix and Philomence” was performed before the Queen at Greenwich; the plot was founded on a pastoral poem by George Monetmayor. An early edition of this poem, dated 1585, written in the original Spanish, is in my possession.
CERTAINE DEUISES
and shewes presented to
her MAIESTIE by the Gentlemen of
Grayes-Inne at her Highnesse Court in
Greenewich, the twenty eighth day of
Februarie in the thirtieth yeare of her
MAIESTIES most happy
Raigne.
AT LONDON
Printed by Robert Robinson.
1587.
(Original Image)
A few days later another play was performed called “Five plays in One.”
1588. On Shrove Sunday, Paul’s boys performed before the Queen at Greenwich. Their master, Thomas Gyles, received in payment £10.
1594. This year is a very important land-mark in Court performances: no less a personage than Shakespeare himself acted at Court on this occasion.
“To William Kempe, William Shakespeare, and Richard Burbage, servants to the Lord Chamberlayne, upon the Councelles Warrant, dated at Whitehall XV of Mar., 1594, for two several comedies or interludes showed by them before her Majestie on Christmas time laste paste, viz., upon St. Stephen’s days and Innocentes days XIIIli, VIs. VIId. and by waye of her Majesties reward VIli, XIIIs, VIId, in all XXli.”
“For making ready at Greenwich for the Qu. Majestie against her Highness coming thither by the space of VIII days, December, 1594, as appeareth by a bill signed by the Lord Chamberleyne.”
Although the two plays performed are not mentioned by name, one of them may have been “The Comedy of Errors,” as this play was performed on the same date in Gray’s Inn Hall, and was acted by the same company as appeared before the Queen at Greenwich.
1606. On October 18th, John Hemings was paid £30 for three plays acted before his Majesty and the King of Denmark, two of them at Greenwich and one at Hampton Court.