Valentine and Orson (Admiral's): Difference between revisions
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A prose version of this medieval romance narrative by Henry Watson, ''The Hystory of the two valyaunte brethren Valentyne and Orson, sonnes vnto the Emperour of Grece'' was published in 1510 and reprinted in 1555 and 1565. After the Admiral's play, it was reprinted ''c''. 1615-1620, in 1637, and again in 1649. (The sole extant copy of the earliest seventeenth-century edition is missing its title page.) | A prose version of this medieval romance narrative by Henry Watson, ''The Hystory of the two valyaunte brethren Valentyne and Orson, sonnes vnto the Emperour of Grece'' was published in 1510 and reprinted in 1555 and 1565. Martin Wiggins summarizes the narrative (with reference to the Queen's play) as follows (3.6): | ||
:The French princess Bellisant gives birth to twin sons in a wood. One of the children is carried off by a bear, while the other is found by King Pepin. Each child is educated by its foster-parent: Valentine is taught all the courtly graces; Orson does not even learn human language. Eventually Orson becomes a wild man who terrorizes the country. Pepin sends Valentine to deal with the problem, and Orson is brought to court. [¶] Pepin sends Valentine and Orson to do battle with a Green Knight who can reputedly only be defeated by a king's son who was not suckled by a woman. In single combat, Valentine can only achieve a draw, but Orson overcomes the Green Knight, sparing his life at Valentine's request. The Green Knight invites them to his castle, where a speaking brazen head tells them that they are brothers, and that Orson may be given the power of speech by cutting a ligament under his tongue. | |||
After the Admiral's play, it was reprinted ''c''. 1615-1620, in 1637, and again in 1649. (The sole extant copy of the earliest seventeenth-century edition is missing its title page.) | |||
See also Thomas Purfoot Sr.'s entrance in the S.R. on 8 August 1586 (Arber 2.453) and his son, Thomas Purfoot's on 6 November 1615 (3.576). | See also Thomas Purfoot Sr.'s entrance in the S.R. on 8 August 1586 (Arber 2.453) and his son, Thomas Purfoot's on 6 November 1615 (3.576). | ||
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==Works Cited== | ==Works Cited== | ||
Wiggins, Martin. ''British Drama, 1533-1642: A Catalogue.'' Volume 3: 1590-1597. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013. | |||
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Revision as of 16:19, 5 August 2014
Richard Hathaway and Anthony Munday (1598)
Historical Records
Payments to Playwrights (Henslowe’s Diary)
F. 47v (Greg 1.90)
- lent vnto Robart shaw & Jewbey the 19 of July
- 1598 for a Boocke called vallentyne & orsen
- in fulle paymente the some of vll to paye
- hathe waye & mondaye . . . . . . vll
Theatrical Provenance
The play was acquired on July 19 1598 by the Admiral’s Men for performance at the Rose.
Probable Genre(s)
Romance (Harbage)
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
A prose version of this medieval romance narrative by Henry Watson, The Hystory of the two valyaunte brethren Valentyne and Orson, sonnes vnto the Emperour of Grece was published in 1510 and reprinted in 1555 and 1565. Martin Wiggins summarizes the narrative (with reference to the Queen's play) as follows (3.6):
- The French princess Bellisant gives birth to twin sons in a wood. One of the children is carried off by a bear, while the other is found by King Pepin. Each child is educated by its foster-parent: Valentine is taught all the courtly graces; Orson does not even learn human language. Eventually Orson becomes a wild man who terrorizes the country. Pepin sends Valentine to deal with the problem, and Orson is brought to court. [¶] Pepin sends Valentine and Orson to do battle with a Green Knight who can reputedly only be defeated by a king's son who was not suckled by a woman. In single combat, Valentine can only achieve a draw, but Orson overcomes the Green Knight, sparing his life at Valentine's request. The Green Knight invites them to his castle, where a speaking brazen head tells them that they are brothers, and that Orson may be given the power of speech by cutting a ligament under his tongue.
After the Admiral's play, it was reprinted c. 1615-1620, in 1637, and again in 1649. (The sole extant copy of the earliest seventeenth-century edition is missing its title page.)
See also Thomas Purfoot Sr.'s entrance in the S.R. on 8 August 1586 (Arber 2.453) and his son, Thomas Purfoot's on 6 November 1615 (3.576).
References to the Play
Content welcome.
Critical Commentary
Greg: "A play called Valentine and Orson was entered S. R. 23 May 1595, and again 31 Mar. 1600, both times as acted by the Queen's men. It is possible that Hathway and Munday re-wrote this old piece. The Queen's play may have been acquired by Alleyn in 1591, but the entry of 1595 and the absence of any trace of the play in Strange's lists, are against this assumption. It is more probable that the Queen's men sold the MS. in 1 594, and that the case is similar to that of Henry V." (Greg 2:195)
For What It's Worth
<Enter any miscellaneous points that may be relevant, but don't fit into the above categories. This is the best place for highly conjectural thoughts.>
Works Cited
Wiggins, Martin. British Drama, 1533-1642: A Catalogue. Volume 3: 1590-1597. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2013.
Site created and maintained by your name, affiliation; updated DD Month YYYY.