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Travelling theatre companies are common during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Many come from the great London
theatres such as the Rose and Burbage’s new Globe, as they are often forced to go on tour during the summer to
escape outbreaks of the plague in the rat infested city. To cut down on expense they trim their company to a
few key players and pick up hired men as the need and opportunity arises. Travelling from town to town they find
work wherever they can, often performing on village greens, inn yards or, if very lucky, at the great houses of
the rich. As the numbers of homeless and jobless beggars who roam the countryside have been causing problems, a
theatre company will look for a nobleman to become their patron. Although they often do not receive any funding
from him the use of his name is evidence of their respectability and ensures a kinder welcome.
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| Period Setting June 7th 1599 | |
 Sir Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury |
The company you will seel perform is drawn from a mixed bag of mainly ex-military men who claim to have a
variety of dubious connections with the great theatre companies of London. Sponsored by Sir Robert Cecil,
Earl of Salisbury, there is much rumour about a more sinister purpose for this travelling band. As
Elizabeth’s first minister, it is Cecil’s duty to guard the Queen and country against any threat from without
well known that Cecil is currently vying with the Earl of Essex for the most powerful position at court.
and within. Also, it isAny person who hires these players is well advised to keep their own counsel, lest their
opinions come to the ears of Cecil! (Of course, reports of a good nature may find them favour at court and can
easily be assured, with a small payment.) Relying on his general warrant to return to England, given under the great seal, Essex sailed from Ireland on 24 September 1599, and reached London four days later. The Queen had expressly forbidden his return and was surprised when he presented himself in her bedchamber one morning at Nonsuch Palace, before she was properly wigged or gowned. On that day, the privy council met three times, and it seemed his disobedience might go unpunished, although the queen did confine him to his rooms with the comment that "an unruly beast must be stopped of his provender". |
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Essex appeared before the full council in the summer, when he was compelled to stand bareheaded before the
table during a five hour interrogation; the council (his uncle Knollys included) took a quarter of an hour
to compile a report, in which it was found that his truce with O'Neill was indefensible and his flight from
Ireland tantamount to a desertion of duty. He was committed to custody in his own York House , and he chose
to blame Cecil and Raleigh for the queen's hostility. Raleigh advised Cecil to see to it that he did not
recover power, and Essex appeared to heed advice to retire from public life, although the population was
thought to be with him. During his confinement at York House, Essex probably communicated with King James VI
of Scotland through Lord Mountjoy, although any plans he may have had at that time to ease the Scots King on
to the English throne came to nothing. Mountjoy was appointed to replace him in Ireland, but matters
seemed to look up for the Earl. The Queen was reported to have said that the truce with O'Neill was "so
seasonably made… as great good… has grown by it". Others in the council were willing to justify Essex's return
 Robert Devereux 2nd Earl of Essex |
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Sir Roberts Cecil’s men, a group of well trained and armed men who are currently employed as a travelling
theatre group, are in Dudley trying to persuade the local populace to come to the Castle to see their
plays, while surreptitiously recruiting protestant soldiers to join their theatre group! |
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Captain Richard Stanton Main Sharer, Manager and Lead Player. Served in the armies of Queen Elizabeth in the Low Countries and Ireland, but is now engaged in a less dangerous profession (although some say he takes his life in his hands every time he goes on stage). As main sharer he insists on the lead roles, unless the company can persuade him otherwise. A sensitive soul, his main weakness is drink, so he is often not seen before midday. Commissioned by Sir Robert Cecil to take his company on tour, it is said that he is Cecil’s roving eyes and ears (when sober). |
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Ingram Frizer Sharer, Gatherer and Player. Once a personal servant and theatrical business agent for Thomas Walsingham, cousin of the former Secretary of State, Sir Francis Walsingham. Ingram is a known con-artist, money lender and occasional courier/spy for the Queen’s secret service. He has on occasion boasted of his ability to lie convincingly under any circumstance……his acting, however leaves something to be desired! A noted drinking friend of Captain Stanton’s, Frizer is thought to have introduced him to Sir Robert Cecil. |
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Percy Sharer, Gatherer and Player. Born in 1570 to a lesser branch of the powerful northern family. With the army at Tilbury in 1588, where he commanded pioneer companies. Fought in the Low Countries in the early 1590’s and with the Cadiz expedition of 1596, as an engineer. Recently returned from a tour of Italy and the Mediterranean in some haste. Rumour is rife of lynch mobs and some indiscretion with the Duke of Florence’s niece. The gentleman could not possibly comment! |