King's Men repertory list (1641)
Background
On 7 August 1641, the Earl of Essex (now Lord Chamberlain) required the Stationers' Company to forbid the printing of King's Men plays without the company's consent (the desire to protect their plays having been occasioned by the onset of plague and the consequent closure of the theatres from 5 August til the end of November 1641).
Transcription
The following transcription of the letter (National Archives, LC 5/135), including the list, is taken from Chambers 367–69. The columnar layout reflects the appearance of the list in the original document.
After my harty Com̃endacions. The players which are his Mates servantes haue addressed them selues vnto mee as formerly to my predecessors in office, complaining that some Printers are about to Print & publish some of their Playes which hitherto they haue beene vsually restrained from by the Authority of the Lord Chamberlain. Their Request seemes both iust and reasonable, as onely tending to preserue them Masters of their proper Goodes, which in Iustice ought not to bee made com̃on for another mannes profitt to their disadvantage. Vpon this Ground therfore I am induced to require your care (as formerly my Predecessors haue done) that noe Playes belonging to them bee put in Print wthout their knowledge & consent. The particularls to which they now lay claimes are contained in a List inclosed, and if any of those Playes shall bee offered to ye Presse vnder another name then is in the List expressed, I shall desire yor care that they may not bee defrauded by that meanes but that they may bee made acquainted wth it, before they bee recorded in yr hall & soe haue Oportunity to shew their right vnto them. And thus not doubting of yr ready care herin I bid you hartily farewell & rest Aug. 7. 1641.
- Yor very loueing friend
- Essex
To my very loueing friendes
the Masters & Wardens A List of ye Playes followes.
of ye Company of Printers
& Stationers.
The wild goose chase. The humerous Lieuetennt. The Country Captaine. The litle french Lawyer. Bunduca. The discontented Colonell. The Loyall subject. The inconstant Lady. The Brothers. The spanish Curat. Chances. Mineruae's sacrifice. The Custom o' th Cuntry. The maid of the Mill. The Iudge. The double marriage. The Bridegroome & ye Madmã. The Citty madam. A wife for a moneth. The Queene of Corinth. The Corporall. The Island Princes. The Coxcombe. Alfonso Emperor of Germany. The mad Louer. The noble gentleman. The Nobleman. The Pilgrim. Beggars. The bashfull Louer. The Maior of Quinborow &c. The honest mans fortune. Loue & honor. The womans Plott. The martiall maide. The 1st & 2d pt of ye Passiont louer. The womans prize &c. Beauty in a Trance. The Guardian. The Switzar. The forc'd Lady. The Duke of Lerma or ye spanish Duke. More dissemblers beside women. Alexius. The Prophetesse. The widow. The vnfortunate Louers. The Louers Pilgrimage. The knt of Malta. The faire fauorite. The Louers Progresse. The Nouella. The Emperour Valentinian. News from Plimouth. The louesick maid. The Goblins. The Captaine. The distresses. The doubtfull heire. The Imposture.