Cloth Breeches and Velvet Hose

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Anon. (>1600)


Historical Records


Stationers' Register

Arber 3.59/161

On 27 May 1600,James Roberts paid 6d. to enter his copy of the following play into the Stationers' Register (Register C, 59a): "A morall of Clothe breches & veluet hose, As yt is Acted by my lord Chamberlens servantes." The clerk added a condition: "PROVIDED that he is not to putt it in prynte Without further and better Aucthority"


On 29 May 1600 the clerk turned to a fly leaf of Register C and began a list headed "my lord chamberlens menns plaies Entred." Following a "viz," he listed two titles: A moral of 'clothe breches and velvet hose' and Allarum to London. Though he left room, no more titles were entered.

On this authority rests the existence of the play, Cloth Breeches and Velvet Hose and its assignment to the repertory of the Chamberlain's men (illustrated below by Greg BEPD 1.15).


ClothBreeches.jpg


Theatrical Provenance

Cloth Breeches and Velvet Hose probably belonged to the Chamberlain's repertory in 1599-1600. The fact that Roberts acquired it in May 1600 suggest that it had already been on stage, and the verb tense of the entry ("is Acted") suggests that its currency was not exhausted. The Chamberlain's Men moved into the Globe playhouse in the late summer or early fall of 1599, so this play would have been among their first batch of acquisitions for their new venue.


Probable Genre(s)

Comedy (Harbage); Estate Satire (Knutson)


Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

In 1592 Robert Greene published A Quip for an Upstart Courtier, which carries the sub-title "A Quaint Dispute Between Velvet-Breeches and Cloth-Breeches." Modern Print ed. Its title-page illustration contrasts the two estates. Image


References to the Play

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Critical Commentary

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For What It's Worth

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Works Cited

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