As it hath beene diuerse times acted by his Highnesse seruants in the Cittie of London: as also in the two Vniuersities of Cambridge and Oxford, and else-where
At London printed for N. L. and Iohn Trundell.
1603.
By kind permission of Messrs. Griggs.
(Original Image)
During the Essex Rebellion a play on the subject of “Richard II” was produced at the Globe. Whether this was Shakespeare’s play or another quite distinct drama is a point under discussion. Shakespeare’s, or not Shakespeare’s, the company was censured and severely reprimanded for acting this play at such a critical time; the Queen was highly incensed, and their non-appearance at Court during the year was on account of their short-sighted policy. After a few months the affair blew over, and the company was once again reinstated in the Queen’s favour. A document states they received twenty pounds reward for acting on St. Stephen’s Day. From the year 1600 until the death of the Queen in 1603, very little information is available in helping us in reconstructing the history and fortunes of this company, and until the accession of James the First nothing of interest can be gleaned.
The King, by a deed dated May 17th, 1603, licensed the company to act at their usual place, the Globe, and also allowed them to give performances at any town halls or moot halls or other convenient places within the liberties and freedom of any other city, university, town, or borough whatsoever, ‘within our said realms and dominions.’ This deed mentions the name of Shakespeare and Burbage among others. When the first quarto of “Hamlet” was published in 1603 the title page bore the following imprint: