Lovers of Ludgate, The
Historical Records
Mentioned on John Warburton's List (c.1682-1759) of play-manuscripts allegedly destroyed when his cook used them as paper linings for pies. A section of that list reads:
- The forc’d Lady A T. Phill. Massinger
- The Governer T. Sr. Corñ. Fermido
- The Lovers of Loodgate
- The Flying Voice by Ra. Wood
- The Mayden Holaday by Chris. Marlowe
Many of the plays on Warburton's list are mentioned in other sources, but this is not the case with The Lovers of Ludgate.
Theatrical Provenance
Unknown, but presumably pre-1642, like the rest of the datable plays on Warburton's list.
Probable Genre(s)
City play
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
None known
References to the Play
None known
Critical Commentary
None hitherto. Undatable and untraceable, this play has remained (I believe) entirely undiscussed as an individual item. (Bentley, 5.1366 catalogues it, and puts it in the context of Warburton's list as a whole).
For transcription and discussion of the status of the list, see this page: Warburton's List.
Ludgate is an area of the City of London, best known for its eponymous gate, controlling the Western entrance to the city. In Elizabethan times, the gatehouse also served as a prison. It is not clear whether it is the region, or the prison, that featured in this play.