King's Men repertory list (1641)
Background
On 7 August 1641, the Earl of Essex (now Lord Chamberlain) required the Stationers' Company to forbid the printing of King's Men plays without the company's consent (the desire to protect their plays having been occasioned by the onset of plague and the consequent closure of the theatres from 5 August til the end of November 1641).
Transcription
The following transcription of part of the letter, including the list, is taken from Chambers:
After my harty Com̃endacions. The players which are his Mates servantes haue addressed them selues vnto mee as formerly to my predecessors in office, complaining that some Printers are about to Print & publish some of their Playes which hitherto they haue beene vsually restrained from by the Authority of the Lord Chamberlain. Their Request seemes both iust and reasonable, as onely tending to preserue them Masters of their proper Goodes, which in Iustice ought not to bee made com̃on for another mannes profitt to their disadvantage. Vpon this Ground therfore I am induced to require your care (as formerly my Predecessors haue done) that noe Playes belonging to them bee put in Print wthout their knowledge & consent. The particularls to which they now lay claimes are contained in a List inclosed, and if any of those Playes shall bee offered to ye Presse vnder another name then is in the List expressed, I shall desire yor care thhat they may not bee defrauded by that meanes but that they may bee made acquainted wth it, before they bee recorded in yr hall & soe haue Oportunity to shew their right vnto them. And thus not doubting of yr ready care herin I bid you hartily farewell & rest Aug. 7. 1641.
- Yor very loueing friend
- Essex
To my very loueing friendes
the Masters & Wardens A List of ye Playes followes.
of ye Company of Printers
& Stationers.
The wild goose chase Bunduca. The discontented Colonell The litle french Lawyer. The inconstant Lady The Brothers The Loyall subject. Chances Mineruae's sacrifice The spanish Curat. The maid of the Mill The Iudge. The martiall maide The Bridegroome & ye Madma The Citty madam. Beauty in a Trance The Queene of Corinth The Corporall. The forc'd Lady The Coxcombe Alfonso Emperor of Germany Alexius The noble gentleman The Nobleman. The Custom o'th Cuntry Beggars The bashfull Louer The double marriage The honest mans fortune Loue & honor. A wife for a moneth The vnfortunate Louers The 1st & 2nd pt of ye Passiont louer The Island Princes The faire fauorite The Guardian. The mad Louer. The Emperour Valentinian The Duke of Lerma or ye spanish Duke. The Pilgrim The Goblins The Prophetesse The Maior of Quinborow & The distresses The Louers Pilgrimage The womans Plott The doubtfull heire The Louers Progresse The womans prize &c The Imposture News from Plimouth. The Switzar. The Country Captaine More dissemblers beside women The widow The knt of Malta The Nouella The Louesick maid The Captaine The humerous Lieuetennt