Randall, Earl of Chester (Chester’s Tragedy): Difference between revisions

Line 22: Line 22:
:to paye vnto m<sup>r</sup> mydelton in full<i>e</i> paymente
:to paye vnto m<sup>r</sup> mydelton in full<i>e</i> paymente
:of his play<i>e</i> called Randowlle earlle of chester
:of his play<i>e</i> called Randowlle earlle of chester
:th<i>e</i> some of xxxx s
:th<i>e</i> some of xxxx s (Foakes, 206)


==Theatrical Provenance==
==Theatrical Provenance==

Revision as of 18:33, 4 August 2010

Thomas Middleton (1602)


Historical Records

The play appears in Henslowe's diary as follows:

Lent at the a poyntment of John ducke
in earnest of A playe called [title left blank]
the some of xxs 3 of octobʒ 1602
to mr mydellton (Foakes, 217)

Although this entry is for an untitled play, Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador believe it to refer to Randall given "[t]he progressive concretization of the title, the proximity of dates, [and] the complementary nature of the statements about the payments" (328).

pd at the apoynt of wm Jube the 21
of octobʒ 1602 vnto mr medelton in pte of
payment ffor his playe called [felmelanco] Chester
tragedie the some of iiijli (Foakes, 205)

Foakes notes that the play title seems to be in Thomas Downton's hand, although Greg thought it was Robert Shaa's.

Lent unto Edward Jube the 9 of novmbʒ 1602
to paye vnto mr mydelton in fulle paymente
of his playe called Randowlle earlle of chester
the some of xxxx s (Foakes, 206)

Theatrical Provenance

During the process of writing the play seems to have changed hands from Worcester's Men to the Admiral's (328).


Probable Genre(s)

Tragedy.


Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

There are three Earls of Chester called Ranulf in Holinshed's Chronicles, and two of them are colourful enough to warrant plays about them: Ranulf de Gernons (d. 1153) and Ranulf de Blundevill (d.1232). (330)


Anthony Munday included a "Ranulphe, Earl of Chester" in John a Kent and John a Cumber, and an Earl of Chester in both The Downfall and The Death of Robert, Earl of Huntingdon (the latter is de Blundevill; 330). He also appears briefly in the Admiral's Men's play Look About You. (329)

Piers Plowman (V.395) implies the presence of folk "rymes about Robyn hood and Randolf Earl of Chestre". (329)

The popular lost play The Wise Man of West Chester may also have been an influence (329).


De Blundevill's life involved opposition to England paying tithes to Rome and his rescue from a besieged castle, but that there is no obvious tragic potential. It's more likely that the play was about de Gernons, who pursued his personal autonomy over the rule of King Stephen, taking him captive, before being captured himself (330).


References to the Play

<List any known or conjectured references to the lost play here.>


Critical Commentary

<Summarise any critical commentary that may have been published by scholars. Please maintain an objective tone!>


For What It's Worth

Feldmann and Tetzeli von Rosador imagine that the play might have depicted Ranulf de Gernon's opposition to the King, his capturing of him, and his subsequent surrender after being captured himself. They suggest that although Holinshed continues with a number of other "alliances intrigues and battles" involving Ranulf, Middleton could have created a teagic structure by having Ranulf be summarily killed at the end, perhaps "poisoned by William Peverell, whom, it is said, he had robbed of his land". They further speculate that Empress Matilda could have provided an "element of sexual violence or violent sexuality" (330).


Works Cited

  • Doris Feldmann and Kurt Tetzeli von Rosador, "Lost Plays: A Brief Account", in Thomas Middleton: The Collected Works, ed. Gary Taylor and John Lavagnino (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 2007), 328-333.

<If you haven't done so already, also add here any key words that will help categorise this play. Use the following format, repeating as necessary:>


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