Turnholt

Playwright's Name (1599)

Historical Records

Correspondence

Rowland Whyte to Sir Robert Sydney

1599, October 26. Strand.

"Two daies agon, the overthrow of Turnholt was acted upon a stage, and all your names used that were at yt; especially Sir Francis Veres, and he that plaid that part gott a beard resembling his, and a watchet satten doublett, with hose trimd with silver lace. It was full of quips; I saw it not, but I hard it was soe." (Kingsford et al., 2.406)

1599, October 27. Saturday. The Strand.

"This after noone I saw the overthrow of Turnhold playd, and saw Sir Robert Sidney and Sir Francis Vere upon the stage, killing, slaying, and overthrowing the Spaniard. There is most honorable mention made of your service in seconding Sir Francis Vere being ingaged." (Kingsford et al., 2.408)

A rearranged version of this correspondence was published in Arthur Collins's 1746 edition of the Sydney papers, which was quoted by Chambers (1.322n):

Two daies agoe, the overthrow of Turnholt, was acted vpon a Stage, and all your Names vsed that were at yt; especially Sir Fra. Veres, and he that plaid that Part gott a Beard resembling his, and a Watchet Sattin Doublett, with Hose trimd with Siluer Lace. You was also introduced, Killing, Slaying, and Overthrowing the Spaniards, and honorable Mention made of your Service, in seconding Sir Francis Vere, being engaged. (Collins 2.136)

Theatrical Provenance

Unknown. Probably a theater in London.

Probable Genre(s)

Topical Play (Harbage)

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

The play appears to have treated the victory of Maurice of Nassau, with English contingent including Sir Robert Sidney and Sir Francis Vere, at Turnhout on January 24, 1597. Accounts of the battle were published within the year in pamphlets like A True discourse of the ouerthrovve giuen to the common enemy at Turnhaut, the 14. [sic] of Ianuary last 1597. by Count Moris of Nassaw and the states, assisted with the Englishe forces (London, 1597) and A discourse more at large of the late ouerthrovve giuen to the King of Spaines armie at Turnehaut, in Ianuarie last, by Count Morris of Nassawe, assisted with the English forces (London, 1597). The playwright(s) of "Turnholt" may have consulted such sources.

References to the Play

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Critical Commentary

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For What It's Worth

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Works Cited

Collins, Arthur, ed. Letters and memorials of state… Written and collected by Sir Henry Sydney… London, 1746. 2 vols.

Kingsford, C.L., William A. Shaw, and G. Dyfnallt Owen, eds. Report on the Manuscripts of Lord de l’Isle & Dudley. 6 vols. London, 1925-66.

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