Hardicanute (Canute)
Historical Records
F. 27v (Greg I, p. 54)
octobʒ tt at hardwute. . . . . . . . . . 00|16|00 — 00 — 1 — novembʒ 1597 3 tt at knewtvs. . . . . . . . . . 00|10|00 — 14 — 00
Theatrical Provenance
The history of dating "Hardicanute" is influenced by its appearance without the sign of "ne" in Henslowe's playlists in October 1597. Harbage grouped it with plays as old as those offered by Strange's men at the Rose in 1592 (see his "1590, addenda"). Greg II and Wiggins, Catalogue date the play by its order in Henslowe's entries, though both consider it to have had a stage history already. Greg II thought it was "[n]o doubt an old play of Pembroke's men" (p. 186, #113). Wiggins, Catalogue considers the possibility that "Hardicanute" was one of the Admiral's men's "back-catalogue items" but settles on Pembroke's ownership as the stronger "likelihood"; reasoning thus, 'Wiggins assigns the play to Pembroke's new offerings during their run at the Swan in 1597 (#1069).
Probable Genre(s)
History
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
Wiggins, Catalogue suggests Holinshed's Chronicles (#1069).
References to the Play
Information welcome.