Samson, The Story of
Historical Records
Complaint brought before the wardens of the Carpenters' Company, 15 July 1567
GL. MS 4329/1
(as qtd in Wickham, 291, from the transcription in Records of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters, ed. Bower Marsh, III, 95-6 [Oxford, 1915])
... And that the said John Brayne on saturday [19 July] next ensuing the date above written shall pay to the said William Sylvester the sum of £8 10s lawful money of England, and that after the play which is called The Story of Samson be once played at the place aforesaid the said John shall deliver to the said William such bonds as are now in his custody for the performance of the bargain. ...
Theatrical Provenance
The Story of Samson was to be performed at the Red Lion playhouse. On 15 July 1567 John Brayne, grocer, lodged a complaint with the wardens of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters against William Sylvester, carpenter, about the quality of Sylvester's carpentry on "the house called the Red Lion in the parish of Stepney" (as qtd in Wickham, 291).
A lawsuit in the Court of King's Bench in Hilary term 11 Elizabeth (1569) provides further details about the structure of the playhouse, its workmen, and its finances but does not mention a playing company or players.
TNA. KB 27/1229/m. 30.
Probable Genre(s)
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
References to the Play
Critical Commentary
For What It's Worth
Works Cited
Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 14 June 2011.