Randall, Earl of Chester (Chester’s Tragedy)

Historical Records

The play appears in Henslowe's diary as follows:

Lent at the a poyntment of John ducke

in earnest of A playe called [title left blank]

the some of xx^s 3 of octobʒ 1602

to m^r mydellton (Foakes, 217)

Although this entry is for an untitled play, Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador believe it to refer to Randall given "[t]he progressive concretization of the title, the proximity of dates, [and] the complementary nature of the statements about the payments" (328).

pd at the apoynt of w^m Jube the 21

of octobʒ 1602 vnto m^r medelton in pte of

payment ffor his playe called [felmelanco] Chester

tragedie the some of iiij^li (Foakes, 205)

Foakes notes that the play title seems to be in Thomas Downton's hand, although Greg thought it was Robert Shaa's.

Lent unto Edward Jube the 9 of novmbʒ 1602

to paye vnto m^r mydelton in fulle paymente

of his playe called Randowlle earlle of chester

the some of xxxx s

Theatrical Provenance

During the process of writing the play seems to have changed hands from Worcester's Men to the Admiral's (328).

Probable Genre(s)

Tragedy.

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

There are three Earls of Chester called Ranulf in Holinshed's Chronicles, and two of them are colourful enough to warrant plays about them: Ranulf de Gernons (d. 1153) and Ranulf de Blundevill (d.1232). (330)

Anthony Munday included a "Ranulphe, Earl of Chester" in John a Kent and John a Cumber, and an Earl of Chester in both The Downfall and The Death of Robert, Earl of Huntingdon (the latter is de Blundevill; 330). He also appears briefly in the Admiral's Men's play Look About You. (329)

Piers Plowman (V.395) implies the presence of folk "rymes about Robyn hood and Randolf Earl of Chestre". (329)

The popular lost play The Wise Man of West Chester may also have been an influence (329).

De Blundevill's life involved opposition to England paying tithes to Rome and his rescue from a besieged castle, but that there is no obvious tragic potential. It's more likely that the play was about de Gernons, who pursued his personal autonomy over the rule of King Stephen, taking him captive, before being captured himself (330).

References to the Play

Critical Commentary

For What It's Worth

Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador imagine that the play might have depicted Ranulf de Gernon's opposition to the King, his capturing of him, and his subsequent surrender after being captured himself. They suggest that although Holinshed continues with a number of other "alliances intrigues and battles" involving Ranulf, Middleton could have created a teagic structure by having Ranulf be summarily killed at the end, perhaps "poisoned by William Peverell, whom, it is said, he had robbed of his land". They further speculate that Empress Matilda could have provided an "element of sexual violence or violent sexuality" (330).

Works Cited

Doris Feldmann and Kurt Tetzeli von Rosador, "Lost Plays: A Brief Account", in Thomas Middleton: The Collected Works, ed. Gary Taylor and John Lavagnino (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2007), 328-333.

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