Bondwoman, The

Anon. (1653)

Historical Records

Marriott's List (1653)

In late 1653, the printer John Marriott entered a group of twenty-one plays on the Stationers' Register. Among the titles is:

The Bond Woman

Theatrical Provenance

Unknown

Probable Genre(s)

Unknown

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

None known, but see "For what it's worth"

References to the Play

None known

Critical Commentary

"The only evidence for the existence of a play of this name is Marriott's entry of the play in the Stationers' Register" (Bentley, 5.1295).

For discussion of Marriott's list, follow this link: Marriott's List (1653)

For What It's Worth

This play could be some sort of sequel to or imitation of Massinger's successful 1624 tragicomedy The Bondman, which would indicate a date some time after 1624. But one might be cautious in relying too heavily on this interpretation: EEBO, for instance, overwhelmingly associates the phrase "bond woman" with Hagar from the Old Testament, so that one cannot rule out the possibility that it was a Biblical play of unknown date.

Site created and maintained by Matthew Steggle, Sheffield Hallam University. Updated 6 May 2010.