[1600, April 1. Abstract of entry in Roll of the General Sessions of the Peace for Middlesex, printed by J. C. Jeaffreson, Middlesex County Records, i. 260. The proclamation referred to must, I suppose, be the old one of 1559 (No. x). I do not know of any Star Chamber order about plays, but it is quite possible that one was made in 1597, and not recorded in the Council Registers, as the Star Chamber had its own Clerk, distinct from those of the Privy Council.]
Recognizance ... of John Wolf of Eastsmithfield, co. Midd. Stationer, in the sum of forty pounds; The condition of the recognizance being ‘that, whereas the abovebounden John Wolf hathe begun to erecte and builde a Playhowse in Nightingale Lane near East Smithefeilde aforesaid contrary to Her Majesties proclamacion and orders sett downe in Her Highenes Court of Starrchamber. If therefore the said John Wolf do not proceede anie further in buildinge or erectinge of the same playhowse, unless he shall procure sufficient warrant from the Rt. Honourable the Lords of Her Majesties most honourable Privye Councill for further ... then this recognizaunce to be void or els to remaine in full force.’
cxxi.
[c. 1600, April. Certificate of the Inhabitants of Finsbury to the Privy Council, printed by W. W. Greg, Henslowe Papers, 50, from Dulwich MS. i. 28; also by Collier, Alleyn Memoirs, 58.]
To the righte honorable the Lordes and others of her
maiesties most honorable privie Councell:
In all humblenes, wee the Inhabitantes of the Lordshipp of Fynisburye, within the parrishe of St. Gyles without Creplegate, London, doe certifie vnto your honnours, That wheare the Servantes of the right honorable Earle of Nottingham haue latelie gone aboute to erect and sett vpp a newe Playehowse within the said Lordshipp, Wee could be contented, that the same might proceede and be Tollerated (Soe it stande with your honnours pleasuers) ffor the reasons and Causes followeinge.
First because the Place appoynted oute for that purpose Standeth very tollerable, neere vnto the ffeildes, and soe farr distant and remote frome any person or Place of accompt, as that none cann be Annoyed thearbie:
Secondlie because the Erectours of the saied howse are contented to give a very liberall porcion of money weekelie, towardes the releef of our Poore, The nomber & necessity whereof is soe greate that the same will redounde to the contynuall comfort of the saied Poore:
Thirdlie and lastlie wee are the rather Contented to accept this meanes of releif of our Poore, because our Parrishe is not able to releeue them, neither hath the Justices of the Sheire taken any order, for any Supplie oute of the Countrye, as is enioyned by the late Acte of Parliamente:
[Twenty-seven signatures follow.]