S. R. 1615, April 24 (Buck). ‘A play called The Hector of Germany, or the Palsgraue is a harmeles thinge.’ Josias Harrison (Arber, iii. 566). [The four last words of the title are scored through.]
1615. The Hector of Germaine, or the Palsgrave, Prime Elector. A New Play, an Honourable Hystorie. As it hath beene publikely Acted at the Red Bull, and at the Curtaine, by a Companie of Young Men of this Citie. Made by W. Smith, with new Additions. Thomas Creede for Josias Harrison. [Epistle to Sir John Swinnerton, signed ‘W. Smith’; Prologue; after text, ‘Finis. W. Smyth.’ Some copies have a variant t.p.]
Edition by L. W. Payne (1906, Pennsylvania Univ. Publ.).
The epistle says ‘I have begun in a former Play, called the Freemans Honour, acted by the Now-Seruants of the Kings Maiestie, to dignifie the worthy Companie of the Marchantaylors’. If the phrase ‘Now-Seruants’ implies production before 1603, the identification of W. Smith and Wentworth Smith becomes very probable. The prologue explains that the Palsgrave is not Frederick, since ‘Authorities sterne brow’ would not permit ‘To bring him while he lives upon the stage’, and apologizes for the performance by ‘men of trade’.
Lost Plays
Henslowe assigns to Wentworth Smith a share in the following plays:
Plays for the Admiral’s, 1601–2
(i) The Conquest of the West Indies.
With Day and Haughton, Apr.–Sept. 1601.
(ii) 1 Cardinal Wolsey.