Black Dog of Newgate, Parts 1 and 2

Black Dog of Newgate, Part I (1602)

John Day, Richard Hathaway, Wentworth Smith, and "the other poete"

Black Dog of Newgate, Part 2 (1603)

John Day, Richard Hathaway, Wentworth Smith, and "the other poete"

Historical Records

Henslowe's Diary

F. 118 (Greg I. 185)
pd at the a poyntment of John ducke the
24 of novmber 160[3]2 to m^rhathwaye [blacke doge of] in earneste
of a playe called [John dayes [comodye]] the some of ... xxxx^s
^[newgate]

Lent vnto xpofer beston & Robart palante the
26 novemb[er] 1602 to paye vnto John day m^rsmythe
m^r hathway & the other poete in parte of payment
of the playe called [John dayes comody’ the some of ... xxxx^s
the blacke dogge of newgate

F. 118^v (Greg I. 186)

pd at the apoyntment of the company the 20
of desember 1602 vnto m^r hathewaye mr symthe &
John daye & the other poyet in fulle payment for
a playe called the blacke dogge of newgat some of ... xxxx^s

F. 119 (Greg I. 187)
Lent vnto John dewcke the 10 Janewarye
1602 to by Lame skenes for the blacke
dogge of newgate the some of ... x^s

pd more for the company the 16 of Janewarye
1602 vnto Goodman freswatr for [c] a canves
sewt & skenes for the black doge of newgate xij^s

F. 119^v(Greg I. 188)
Lent vnto John Lewen vpon John duckes noote
of his hande the 29 of Janewarye 1602 to geue in earneste
of the second part of the boocke called the blacke dooge
of newgate vnto m^r hathwaye & John daye & m^r smythe
& the other poete the some of ... iii^li

pd at the apoyntment of John ducke the 3 of
febreary 1602 vnto m^r hathwaye m^r smythe John
daye & the other poet in fulle payment for the
boocke called the second parte of the blacke dooge
the some of ... iiij^li

F. 120 (Greg I. 189)
Pd vnto the tyerman for the companye 1602
to bye viij yrdes & a hallfe of blacke satten
at xij^s a yrde to macke a sewt for the 2 parte
of the blacke dogge the some of ... v^li ij^s

Lent vnto Thomas blacke wode the 21 of febreary
1602 to geue vnto the 4 poetes in earneste of ther
adicyones for the 2 p^arte of the blacke doge ... x^s

Lent vnto Thomas black wode the 24 of febreary
1602 to geue vnto the 4 poetes in p^arte of paymente
for ther adycyons in the 2 p^arte of the blacke doge ... x^s

Lent vnto John dewcke the 26 of febreary 1602
to paye the poetes in fulle payment for ther
adycyones for the 2 parte of the blacke doge the some
of ... xxs

Stationers' Register
Arber III.6b/56
Theatrical Provenance
The play belonged to Worcester’s Men, who leased the Rose playhouse in August 1602 where they played through May 1603.

Probable Genre(s)
Comedy (Henslowe’s entries) “Topical Play” (Harbage)

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
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References to the Play
“The Discovery of a London Monster, called The Blacke Dogg of New-gate …” EEBO
“Luke Hutton’s Lamentation” The ballad opens with a conventional lament by Hutton of his imprisonment and impending execution (it includes a claim that his parents were well-born and he disobeyed them). Hutton, not yet 20 years old, describes his criminal behavior, mainly highway robbery (not murder) with 12 fellows he dubs his “apostles.” There is a hint of Robin-Hoodishness in his hitting rich men for their gold. In one stanza, Hutton says he was made a jailor (a common practice, rather like a fox guarding the henhouse) and he set the prisoners free. Claiming a three-year career, he recounts some details of his life: he was born on St. Luke’s Day, and to celebrate his birthday he had robbed 19 men. He was caught in London but taken to York to stand trial. Nine score and seventeen felony indictments were delivered against him (197). As the ballad concludes, he is waiting to ascend the gallows to be hanged.outlawsandhighwaymen.com

Critical Commentary
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For What It's Worth
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Keywords
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Works Cited
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Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; last updated, 28 October 2009.