Pageant for Sir Martyn Calthrop

Peele, George (1588)

Historical Records

Stationers’ Register

xxviij. die Octobris [1588]

Richard Jones / Entred for his Copie vppon Condicon that it maye be lycenced, ye device of the Pageant borne before the Righte honourable MARTYN CALTHROP LORDE MAIOUR OF THE Cytie of London the 29th daie of October 1588 GEORGE PEELE the Authour . . . . vj^d

(Register B, 235 v / S.R.1, II.504)

Theatrical Provenance

A London civic pageant, presumably occasional (the defeat of the Spanish Armada was a recent cause of celebration, though there is no reason to connect the pageant to this event, necessarily). Nothing further is known.

Probable Genre(s)

Civic Pageant (Harbage); Entertainment (Chambers)

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

(Information needed).

References to the Play

None known

Critical Commentary

Chambers adds only that "[i]n the Merry Conceited Jests if is said that Peele had 'all the oversight of the pageants' (Bullen, ii.381)." (III.463).

For What It's Worth

Biographical information on Martyn Calthrop:

Sir Martyn Calthrop, Draper. Alderman 22 nd

Eliz., 1580. Sheriff 1579, and Lord Mayor 1588.

On becoming Lord Mayor, according to his prerogative he migrated to the Ward or Cheap. He was the son of Martin Calthrop, Draper, of London, and a kinsman of the Queen. On the 24th November, 1588, he received Queen Elizabeth at Temple Bar, on her way to St Paul's to hear a sermon from the Bishop of Salisbury (when the Spanish Armada had been scattered, and the fear of invasion no longer alarmed the lieges), and carried the sceptre before her.

Sir Martin Calthrop died during his year of office (3rd May 1589), and was buried 16th May at St Peter's-le-Poer, Broad Street. Sir Richard Martin served the rest of the year, and this same Knight served again for Sir Cuthbert Buckle, who also died during his year of office (1593). (Withie 15) (Internet Archive)

Calthrop organized entertainment for a separate occasion, the visit of Queen Elizabeth to London:

...Yet of his worth my Muse a while shall sing,

And cheeflie touch one honorable thing

Calthrop performd not long before his death,

His entertainment of Queene Elizabeth.

When royall Prince of her most gracious loue,

To famous London did pretend to come,

Then Calthrop graue her Cittizens to proue

Did notice giue, and warned all and some

Each man should ready be in his appointed roome,

To giue her grace the welcome that was méete,

For louing Subiects to a Queene so sweete.

Which by his doome most brauely was performde,

In royall order sparing for no cost,

By Calthrops counsell, whose honor yet consernde

In such braue sort as Cittizens may boast,

Their paines and charges nere a whit was lost.

For graciously each thing she did esteeme,

And gaue them thankes most like a royall Queene.

But Calthrop chéefe with grace she did reward,

Through whose foresight her welcome was the more,

To Aldermen she had a like regard,

And curteously as she had doone of yore,

Vnto Lord Mayor her princelie Mace that bore,

With hartie thanks their zeale she did requite,

Which with such pompe had pleasde her princely sight.

- H. R., Fames trumpet soundinge. Or commemorations of the famous liues and deaths, of the two right honourable Knights of England: the right honourable Sir Walter Mildmay, and Sir Martin Calthrop, Lord Mayor of this honorable Citty of London, who deceased this yeere 1589 (London: Thomas Hacket, 1589), B2v-B3r.

However, this event took place in early November, and is distinct from the pageant recorded in the Stationers' Register entry.

Works Cited

R., H. Fames trumpet soundinge. Or commemorations of the famous liues and deaths, of the two right honourable Knights of England: the right honourable Sir Walter Mildmay, and Sir Martin Calthrop, Lord Mayor of this honorable Citty of London, who deceased this yeere 1589. London: Thomas Hacket, 1589.

Withie, John. Facsimile of a heraldic ms. entitled : "The names and armes of them that hath beene alldermen of the warde of Alldersgate since the tyme of King Henry 6, beginning at the 30 yeeare of his reigne vntil this present yeeare of our Lord 1616". ed. Francis Compton Price. London, 1878. Print. Internet Archive

Site created by David McInnis; updated by Matthew Steggle, 23 Feb 2011.