King and the Subject

Massinger, Philip (Year)


Historical Records

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Theatrical Provenance

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Probable Genre(s)

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Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

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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


Bawcutt, N. W., ed. Control and Censorship of Caroline Drama: The Records of Sir Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels, 1623-73. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1996. item 386a, pp. 203-04 (Herbert).


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Sir Henry Herbert’s memorandum on the play: “'Monys? Wee’le rayse supplies what ways we please, And force you to subscribe to blanks, in which We’le mulct you as wee shall thinke fitt. The Caesars In Rome were wise, acknowledginge no lawes But what their swords did ratifye, the wives And daughters of the senators bowinge to Their wills, as dieties, &c.' This is a peece taken out of Philip Massingers play, called The King and the Subject, and entered here for ever to bee remembered by my son and those that cast their eyes on it, in honour of Kinge Charles, my master, who, readinge over the play at Newmarket, set his marke upon the place with his owne hande, and in thes words: This is too insolent, and to bee changed. Note, that the poett makes it the speech of a king, Don Pedro king of Spayne, and spoken to his subjects.”