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Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
March 15,
1604

LC 2/4/5, page 77

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LC 2/4/5, page 77
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Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

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The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Lord Chamberlain's Department
Title: Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Date: May 15, 1604
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: LC 2/4/5, p. 77-80
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Item Creator
Lord Chamberlain's Department
Item Title
Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Item Date
May 15, 1604
Repository
The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call Number
LC 2/4/5, p. 77

LC 2/4/5, page 78

View Image Assets
LC 2/4/5, page 78
Click image to enlarge

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

Terms of use
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Lord Chamberlain's Department
Title: Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Date: May 15, 1604
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: LC 2/4/5, p. 77-80
View online bibliographic record

 

Item Creator
Lord Chamberlain's Department
Item Title
Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Item Date
May 15, 1604
Repository
The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call Number
LC 2/4/5, p. 78

LC 2/4/5, page 79

View Image Assets
LC 2/4/5, page 79
Click image to enlarge

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

Terms of use
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Lord Chamberlain's Department
Title: Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Date: May 15, 1604
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: LC 2/4/5, p. 77-80
View online bibliographic record

 

Item Creator
Lord Chamberlain's Department
Item Title
Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Item Date
May 15, 1604
Repository
The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call Number
LC 2/4/5, p. 79

LC 2/4/5, page 80

View Image Assets
LC 2/4/5, page 80
Click image to enlarge

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

Terms of use
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Lord Chamberlain's Department
Title: Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Date: May 15, 1604
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: LC 2/4/5, p. 77-80
View online bibliographic record

 

Item Creator
Lord Chamberlain's Department
Item Title
Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Item Date
May 15, 1604
Repository
The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call Number
LC 2/4/5, p. 80

Institution Rights and Document Citation

 

Images reproduced by permission of The National Archives, London, England.

Terms of use
The National Archives give no warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for the purpose of the information provided.
Images may be used only for purposes of research, private study or education.  Applications for any other use should be made to The National Archives Image Library, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 4DU, Tel: 020 8392 5225   Fax: 020 8392 5266.

Document-specific information
Creator: Lord Chamberlain's Department
Title: Progress of James I through the city of London. This file mentions a grant of cloth to William Shakespeare.
Date: May 15, 1604
Repository: The National Archives, Kew, UK
Call number and opening: LC 2/4/5, p. 77-80
View online bibliographic record

 

The paper notebook shown here names William Shakespeare as a recipient of 4 1/2 yards of red cloth in anticipation of King James’s coronation progress, granting Shakespeare substantially the same recognition as the rest of the twenty-eight players named in the Lord Chamberlain’s account book.

On March 24, 1603, the day of Queen Elizabeth’s death in the 45th year of her reign, King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England. Once informed of his accession to the throne, James started a leisurely progress from Edinburgh to London. By the time he got within striking distance, however, plague was so rife that he had a quiet coronation on July 25, 1603 followed by a much grander royal pageant for his first entry into Parliament on March 15, 1604. As that day approached, more than a thousand royal servants were issued red or scarlet cloth, presumably to be made into livery (the uniform of a royal servant). The purchase and distribution of the cloth was recorded in a dedicated paper notebook.

Among those given 4-1/2 yards of red cloth each were nine “Players” of the king, ten of the queen, and nine of Prince Henry. The three lists of players occur separately under the servants of the king, the queen, and the prince, in that order, according to priority. Together the lists constitute a presumably complete roster of the twenty-eight adult players who made up the three leading playing companies of the realm in 1604.

The individual known to have been the leading player of each company is listed first. Thus the King’s players were headed by William Shakespeare, the Queen’s players by Christopher Beeston, and the Prince’s players by Edward Alleyn.

Whether the players were expected to walk in the procession, stand along the route as guards, or perform some other service, is generally unknown. Independent evidence reveals that the first two members of the Prince’s players, Edward Alleyn and William Bird (alias Bourne), delivered speeches at pageants constructed along the processional route.

[Our photographs show the list of King’s players starting on page 78 and ending on page 79. The four members of the office of the King’s Revels are shown at the bottom of page 79. Pages 77 and 80 are included for context. The lists of the other two companies (Queen’s, Prince’s) are not shown in our photographs but are included in our transcriptions.]

Semi-diplomatic transcription

[Transcription by Alan H. Nelson. This transcription is pending final vetting]
Pages 84 and 94 cited below are not currently shown in our photos, but will be added.

[Image 1 p. 77]

Skarlet / Red cloth

[LEFT MARGIN:] Messingers
Miles Dixon                    iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Robert Cooke                  iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Byrry                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Adam Kinge                    iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Henry Maunder               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
William Hilliard              iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Kinge                      iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Hughe Price                    iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Richard Vdall                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Arthur Grimes                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Phillip Eves                     iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Wattes                     iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iames Dier                       iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Randall Snowe                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Bennett Blomfeild           iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Cutbert Stillingfleete        iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Shawe                       iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Tarlox [Tarkox?]      iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Richard Burche                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Owyn Garway                  iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Robert Goodshawe           iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Roger Okey                      iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Christopher Porter           iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Hughe Peache                  iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Valentine Harris               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
William Waterton             iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] the Master of the Hawkes
Sir Robert Dormer knight v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[Image 2: p. 78]

Skarlet / Red cloth

[LEFT MARGIN:] Serieaunte [of the Hawks]
Michaell Throgmorton       iiij yardes di [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] fawkeners in Ordinary
Mr Alexander Moncriff        iiij yardes di [scarlet cloth]
Thomas Moncriff                  iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iames Quarrier                      iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Cargill                     iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iams Fisher                           iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] fawkeners
Richard Edmundes              iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Baxter                          iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Sall                         iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Wilchey[?]                   iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Gregory Harebotle               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
George Garrett                     iiij yardes di [red cloth]
George Wilchin                    iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Richard Prince                     iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Christopher Barwiche          iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Taylor                     iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Sampson Mischin                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Poulten                        iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Neale                           iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Players [King's]
William Shakespeare           iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Augustine Phillipps             iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Lawrence ffletcher               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Hemminges                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Richard Burbidge                iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[Image 3: p. 79]

Damask / Skarlet / Red cloth
William Slye                  iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Robert Armyn                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Henry Cundell                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Richard Cowley              iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Officers
Edmunde Tomlins butler of ye starchamber                                         iiij yardes di
Richard Male Cooke of ye starchamber                                               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Walker keeper of white Hall                                                   iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Alphonso ffowler keeper of St Iames                                                   iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Wynyard keeper of Hampton Courte                                           iiij yardes di [scarlet cloth]
William Rusbrocke keeper of Richmount howse                                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
William Andrewe doorekeeper of ye priuie [Chamber] kitchin             iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Clarke of ye Closett
Mr Doctor Neale                v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Master of ye reuells
Edmunde Tilney                x yardes [damask]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Clarke of ye Revelles
William Hunninges                v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Comptroler of ye Revelles
Edmunde Pakenham                v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Yeoman of ye Revelles
Edmunde Kirkeham                v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[Image 4: p. 80]

Velvet crimson / Skarlet / Red cloth

[LEFT MARGIN:] Keeper of the Counsell Chamber dore
Humfrey Rogers                iiij yardes di [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Gardiner of Richemont
Edward Lovell                iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] An officer of ye wardrobe
Thomas Bond                iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Gromes of ye Roabes
Robert Iossey                     viij yardes [velvet crimson] v yardes [scarlet cloth]
Iames Chambers                viij yardes [velvet crimson] v yardes [scarlet cloth]
Gawen Howme                  viij yardes [velvet crimson] v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Yeomen of ye Buttery
Richard Goodman                iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Constables of St Martins in the feilds
William Iones                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Edward Hewes               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Paule Vincent                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
William Dugdale            iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Marshalls in the Hall
David Murrey               v yardes [scarlet cloth]
Samuell Michell           v yardes [scarlet cloth]

[LEFT MARGIN:] A waighter in the Hall
Allen Sharratt               iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[No photo: p. 84]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Players [Queen's]
Christopher Beeston        iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Robert Lee                       iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iohn Duke                        iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Robert Palante                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Richard Purkins               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Haward               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Iames Houlte                    iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Swetherton         iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Grene                 iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Robert Beeston                iiij yardes di [red cloth]

[No photo: p. 94]

[LEFT MARGIN:] Players [Prince Henry's]
Edward Allen               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
William Bird                iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Towne            iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Thomas Dowton          iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Samuel Rowley           iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Edward Iubie               iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Humfry Ieffes              iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Charles Massey           iiij yardes di [red cloth]
Anthony Ieffes            iiij yardes di [red cloth]

Written by Alan H. Nelson

Sources

E.K. Chambers, William Shakespeare: a Study of Facts and Problems (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1930) 2:73.

B. Roland Lewis, The Shakespeare Documents: Facsimiles, Transliterations, Translations and Commentary, vol. 2 (Stanford University, California: Stanford University Press, 1940), 367-8.

Alan H. Nelson, “Calling All (Shakespeare) Biographers! or, A Plea for Documentary Discipline,” in Shakespeare, Marlowe, Jonson, ed. Ronnie Mulryne (Aldershot, Hampshire: Ashgate, 2006), 55-67.

Samuel Schoenbaum, William Shakespeare: A Documentary Life (New York: Oxford University Press, 1975), 196, 199.

David Thomas, Shakespeare in the Public Records (London: H.M.S.O., 1985), 15.

Last updated November 21, 2023