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 xxs 3 of octobʒ 1602
- to mr mydellton (Foakes, 217)
Although this entry is for an untitled play, Doris 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 wm Jube the 21
- of octobʒ 1602 vnto mr medelton in pte of
- payment ffor his playe called [felmelanco] Chester
- tragedie the some of iiijli (Foakes, 205; Greg I, 171; f.106)
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 mr mydelton in fulle paymente
- of his playe called Randowlle earlle of chester
- the some of xxxx s (Foakes, 206)
Theatrical Provenance
Henslowe's references to the play suggest that during the process of writing it changed hands from Worcester's Men to the Admiral's (Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador 328).
Probable Genre(s)
Tragedy.
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador note that Holinshed's Chronicles mentions three Earls of Chester called Ranulf, and that two of them had lives colourful enough to stimulate the interest of a dramatist: Ranulf de Gernons (d. 1153) and Ranulf de Blundevill (d.1232) (330).
Other writers had already represented Randalls or Ranulphs of Chester. Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador point to a line in Piers Plowman (V.395) which mentions the existence of folk "rymes about Robyn hood and Randolf Earl of Chestre". They further note that 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 Earl is de Blundevill). Another appears briefly in the Admiral's Men's play Look About You. The popular lost play The Wise Man of West Chester may also have been an influence (329-30).
Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador suspect that Middleton's play was about de Gernons. While de Blundevill's life has dramatic potential, involving opposition to England paying tithes to Rome, and a rescue from a besieged castle, it does not seem suited to tragedy. They argue that de Gernons, a baron who pursued his personal autonomy over the rule of King Stephen, took him captive, but was then captured himself and forced to surrender, is closer to the pattern of tragedy (330).
References to the Play
None known.
Critical Commentary
None known.
For What It's Worth
Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador imagine that Middleton's 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 describes further events in de Gernon's life - other "alliances, intrigues and battles" - Middleton could have created a tragic structure by having Ranulf be summarily killed after his surrender, perhaps "poisoned by William Peverell, whom, it is said, he had robbed of his land". They further speculate that an appearance by Empress Matilda could have provided the "element of sexual violence or violent sexuality" that Middleton often favoured (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.
Site created and maintained by David Nicol, Dalhousie University; updated 4 August 2010.