Lovers of Ludgate, The

Anon (Unknown)

Historical Records

Mentioned on John Warburton's List (c.1682-1759) of play-manuscripts allegedly destroyed when his cook used them as paper linings for pies. A section of that list reads:

The forc’d Lady A T. Phill. Massinger

The Governer T. S^r. Corñ. Fermido

The Lovers of Loodgate

The Flying Voice by Ra. Wood

The Mayden Holaday by Chris. Marlowe

Many of the plays on Warburton's list are mentioned in other sources, but this is not the case with The Lovers of Ludgate.

Theatrical Provenance

Unknown, but presumably pre-1642, like the rest of the datable plays on Warburton's list.

Probable Genre(s)

City play

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

None known

References to the Play

None known

Critical Commentary

None hitherto. Undatable and untraceable, this play has remained (I believe) entirely undiscussed beyond a bare listing. Bentley, 5.1366 catalogues it, and puts it in the context of Warburton's list as a whole.

For transcription and discussion of the status of the document in which it is found, see this page: Warburton's List.

Ludgate is an area of the City of London, best known for its eponymous gate, controlling the Western entrance to the city. In Elizabethan times, the gatehouse also served as a prison. It is not clear whether it is the region, or the prison, that featured in this play.

Works Cited

Page created by Matthew Steggle, Sheffield Hallam University, 26 January 2011.