Guy of Warwick, Life and Death of

John Day and Thomas Dekker (1620)

Historical Records

John Taylor, The pennyles pilgrimage (1618)

The Water Poet, John Taylor, reported having seen a play by this name on 14 October 1618 at the Maidenhead Inn, Islington:

And so I stole backe againe to Islington, to the signe of the Mayden-head, staying till Wednesday that my friendes came to meete mee, who knewe no other, but that Wednesday was my first comming: where with all loue I was entertained with much good cheere: and after Supper wee had a play of the life and death of Guy of Warwicke, plaied by the Right Honourable the Earle of Darbie his men. (The pennyles pilgrimage, sig.G2v)

Stationers' Register

15 January 1619 [i.e. 1620] (S.R.I, 3.662)

John Trundle		Entred for his copie vnder the handes of Master TAUERNOR and both
		the wardens A Play Called the life and Death of GUY of Warwicke
		written by JOHN DAY and THOMAS DECKER . . . Vjd

Theatrical Provenance

If the play registered in 1620 is identical to the play seen by John Taylor in 1618, the Earl of Derby's men were performing it.

Probable Genre(s)

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Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

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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

Taylor, John. The pennyles pilgrimage, or The money-lesse perambulation, of Iohn Taylor, alias the Kings Majesties water-poet How he trauailed on foot from London to Edenborough in Scotland, not carrying any money to or fro, neither begging, borrowing, or asking meate, drinke or lodging. With his description of his entertainment in all places of his iourney, and a true report of the vnmatchable hunting in the brea of Marre and Badenoch in Scotland. With other obseruations, some serious and worthy of memory, and some merry and not hurtfull to be remembred. Lastly that (which is rare in a trauailer) all is true. 1618.

Site created and maintained by David McInnis, University of Melbourne; updated 21 Jan 2016.