Printed at London by Peter Short and
are to be sold by Cutbert Burbie, at his
shop at the Royall Exchange.
1594.
(Original Image)
The name of the Earl of Pembroke occurs on the title page of “Edward II,” by Christopher Marlowe, and also on the title page of “Titus Andronicus,” in conjunction with those of the Earl of Derby and the Earl of Sussex. This is the same play as appeared in the First Folio.
The most interesting play that this company produced is the “True Tragedy of Richard Duke of York and the Death of Good King Henry the Sixth,” by the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembroke his servants. A revision of this play is found in the First Folio edition of Shakespeare’s works, but his share in this play and the two other parts of Henry VI forms one of the most knotty problems in the whole Shakesperean criticism. Several books have been written in support of different theories. A line in this play is parodied by Greene in his “Groatsworth of Wit,” in which pamphlet occurs the first contemporary allusion to Shakespeare.
The original play of “Hamlet” may also claim ownership to this company, but in our present state of knowledge there is not sufficient evidence in identifying the play as theirs. During the ten years existence of these players, they acted only twice at Court, when the Earl of Pembroke’s men were paid a reward of £6 13s. 4d., on March 11th, 1593, for plays performed on St. John’s Day and Twelfth Day, both at night. Traces of this company can be found at Coventry, Bath, Ipswich, Bristol, Marlborough, Leicester, and several other towns. Even the above brief account shows that the company played an important part in the theatrical annals of the time.
EARL OF WORCESTER’S COMPANY
William Somerset, Earl of Worcester, was patron of an important company of actors styling themselves the Earl of Worcester’s Servants. This company was formed at a very early date, namely, in 1555. During this period they travelled mostly in the provinces, visiting all the chief towns in England. At one time, Edward Alleyn, the famous actor, was a member of this troupe; his name is included in a list of actors in 1583, being then in his 16th year, and remained with this company until 1589, when he transferred his services to the Lord Admiral’s men. I cannot find any notice of their acting in London whilst under the patronage of William Somerset, but when his son, Edward Somerset, succeeded to the Earldom, on the death of his father in 1589, this company henceforth is found playing in the Metropolis. Visits to the Continent were periodically taken, notices being extant of their appearance in the Netherlands and other foreign countries.