Thomas Merry (Beech's Tragedy)

John Day, William Haughton (1599)

Historical Records

Henslowe's Diary F. 65v (Greg I.114)

Lent vnto wm Harton the 21 novmb[er]

in earneste of her boocke called merie

the some of … xs

Lent vnto wm harton & John daye the 27 of

novmb[er] in earneste of a tragedie called

mereie the some of … xxs

as may a pere

F. 29 (Greg I.57)

Receiued of mr. Henseslowe in earnest of the tragedie

of merie the some of xxs. The 27th of noueb.

___________________ xxs.

W Haughton. J D.

Recd of Mr Hinchloe more in ernest of The

Tragedy of Thomas Merrye 20s

Joh. Day.

W Haughton

Recd more of mr Hinchloe vpon the same booke 10s

By John Day.

F. 66 (Greg I.115)

Lent vnto wm hawton & John day the

5 of desemb[er] 1599 in earneste of ther boocke

called mereye at the apoyntment of

Robart shawe the some of … xxs

as may a pere

Lent vnto John daye the 6 desemb[er]

1599 in earneste [called] of a Boocke called

merye [the] as maye a pere … xs

pd vnto wm hawghton & John daye the

6 of desemb[er] 1599 in full payment of ther

boocke called the tragedie of merie the some of … xxxxs

F. 67 (Greg I.117)

pd vnto the mr of the Revelles man for

lycen[c]singe of a Boocke called Beches

tragedie the some of … viijs

Theatrical Provenance

The Admiral's Men performed The Tragedy of Thomas Merry (or, Beech's Tragedy) at the Rose starting in the late winter of 1599-1600. It was one of several "true crime" plays acquired in response to the arrival of the Chamberlain's Men across the street at the Globe and anticipation of the move northward to the Fortune playhouse.

Probable Genre(s)

Tragedy

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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Keywords

John Day, William Haughton, London, True crime, Robert Yarington, Lamentable

Works Cited

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Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 31 October 2009.