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Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars from Sir William More to James Burbage
February 4,
1596

L.b.356, recto

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Document-specific information
Creator: William More
Title: Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage
Date: February 4, 1595/96
Repository: Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, USA
Call number and opening: L.b.356
View online bibliographic record

Item Creator
William More
Item Title
Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage. February 4, 1595/96.
Item Date
February 4, 1595/96
Repository
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, USA
Call Number
L.b.356

L.b.356, verso

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L.b.356, verso
Click image to enlarge

Institution Rights and Document Citation

Terms of Use
Images that are under Folger copyright are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. This allows you to use our images without additional permission provided that you cite the Folger Shakespeare Library as the source and you license anything you create using the images under the same or equivalent license. For more information, including permissions beyond the scope of this license, see Permissions. The Folger waives permission fees for non-commercial publication by registered non-profits, including university presses, regardless of the license they use. For images copyrighted by an entity other than the Folger, please contact the copyright holder for permission information.

Document-specific information
Creator: William More
Title: Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage
Date: February 4, 1595/96
Repository: Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, USA
Call number and opening: L.b.356
View online bibliographic record

Item Creator
William More
Item Title
Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage. February 4, 1595/96.
Item Date
February 4, 1595/96
Repository
Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, USA
Call Number
L.b.356

Institution Rights and Document Citation

Terms of Use
Images that are under Folger copyright are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. This allows you to use our images without additional permission provided that you cite the Folger Shakespeare Library as the source and you license anything you create using the images under the same or equivalent license. For more information, including permissions beyond the scope of this license, see Permissions. The Folger waives permission fees for non-commercial publication by registered non-profits, including university presses, regardless of the license they use. For images copyrighted by an entity other than the Folger, please contact the copyright holder for permission information.

Document-specific information
Creator: William More
Title: Bargain and sale of seven upper rooms in the Blackfriars to James Burbage
Date: February 4, 1595/96
Repository: Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC, USA
Call number and opening: L.b.356
View online bibliographic record

Heather Wolfe, "Blackfriars playhouse: James Burbage purchases property in Blackfriars," Shakespeare Documentedhttps://doi.org/10.37078/278.

Folger Shakespeare Library, L.b.356. See Shakespeare Documentedhttps://doi.org/10.37078/278.

In 1596 the actor and theater builder James Burbage bought property in Blackfriars, a London neighorhood on the site of a former monastery. His purchase included “seven great upper rooms as they are now divided” as well as some lower rooms and adjoining staircases and yards. He signed the deed on a parchment tag, and part of his seal is still intact.

Burbage converted the rooms into England's first purpose-built indoor theater, the Blackfriars playhouse. Although it had fewer seats than an outdoor playhouse and needed artificial lighting, the Lord Chamberlain's Men could perform there in winter and charge more for admission.

The theater's aristocratic neighbors, however, did not want a rowdy theater next door. They successfully petitioned the Privy Council to prevent Shakespeare's company from performing there, and Burbage leased the newly-renovated theatrical space instead to a company of child actors. When Burbage died in 1597, his sons Richard and Cuthbert, who were principal shareholders of the Globe, inherited the playhouse. In 1601, they purchased rooms adjacent to the playhouse.

In 1608, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, now the King's Men, reclaimed the space. Shakespeare was one of the original seven share-holders of the reorganized Blackfriars playhouse.

Semi-diplomatic transcription

[This transcription is pending final vetting]

This Indenture Made the ffowrth daye of ffebruary In the Eight and Thirtith yere of the Raigne of our Soueraigne Ladie Elizabeth by the grace of god Quene of England ffraunce and Ireland
defendor of the faithe &c Betwene Sir William More of Loseley in the County of Surrey Knight of thone partie And James Burbage of Hollowell in the County of Midd’ Gentleman of thother partie, witnesseth that the saide Sir William More for
and in consideracion of the some of Sixe Hundreth Poundes of Lawfull money of England to him by the saide James Burbage att and before thensealinge of theis presentes truelie paied Whereof and wherewith he the saide Sir William More doth acknowledge
and confesse himselfe fullie satisfied and paied And thereof and of euery parte thereof doth clerelie acquite and dischardge the saide James Burbage his heires executors and Administrators and euery of them by theis presentes Hath Bargayned solde aliened enfeoffed
and confirmed And by theis presentes doth fullie and clerelie Bargayne sell alien enfeoffe and confirme to the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes forever All those Seaven greate vpper Romes as they are nowe devided being all vpon one flower
and sometyme beinge one greate and entire  rome with the roufe over the same couered with Leade Together also with all the leade that doth Cover the same seaven greate vpper romes And also ^all the stone staires leading vpp vnto the Leades or roufe over the saide
seaven great vpper romes oute of the saide seaven greate vpper Romes, And also all the greate stone walles and other walles which do enclose devide and belonge to the same seaven greate vpper romes And also all that greate paire of wyndinge staires with the
staire case therevnto belonginge which leadeth vpp vnto the same seaven greate vpper Romes oute of the greate yarde there which doth lye next vnto the Pipe office, which saide seaven greate vpper romes were late in the tenure or occupacion of William
De Lawne Doctor of Phisicke or of his assignes, and are scituate lyeinge and beinge within the Prescincte of the late Blackefryers Preachers nere Ludgate in London Together also with all the waynescott glasse dores Lockes keyes and boltes to the
same Seaven greate vpper Romes and other the premysses by theis presentes Bargayned and solde incident or apperteyninge or beinge fixed or fastned therevnto Together also with the easiament and comoditie of a Vaulte beinge vnder some parte of the saide seaven
greate vpper Romes or vnder the Entrey or voide rome Lyenge betwene those Seaven greate vpper Romes and the saide Pipe office by a stoole and Tonnell to be made into the same Vaulte in & oute of the greate stone wall in the ynner side thereof nexte and
adioyninge to the saide Entry or voide rome beinge towardes the South And also all those romes and Lodginges with the Kitchen therevnto adioyninge called the Midle Romes or Midle stories late beinge in the tenure or occupacion of Rocco Bonnetto and nowe beinge in the
tenure or occupacion of Thomas Bruskett Gentleman or of his Assignes conteyninge in length ffitfie and two foote of assize more or lesse and in Bredith Thirty and and Seaven foote of assize more or lesse Lyenge and beinge directly vnder parte of those of the saide Seaven
greate vpper Romes which lye Westwardes which saide Midle romes or midle stories do extende in length Southwardes to a parte of the house of Sir George Cary knight. And also all the stone walles and other walles which do enclose devide & belonge to the same Midle Romes or Midle stories together
also with the dore and entry which do lye nexte vnto the gate enteringe into the house of the saide Sir George Cary and vsed to and from the saide Midle romes or midle storyes oute of a Lane or waye leadinge vnto the house of^ye said Sir George Cary, with free waye ingres egres and regres into and from
the saide Midle romes or midle stories in by and thorough the waies nowe vsed to the saide house of the said Sir George Cary, And also all those two Vaultes or Cellers late beinge in thoccupacion of the saide Rocco Bonetto Lyeng vnder parte of the saide Midle romes or midle stories att the
North ende thereof as they are nowe devided and are nowe in the tenure or occupacion of the saide Thomas Bruskett and of John ffavor, and are adioyninge to the two litle yardes nowe in thoccupacions of Peter Johnson and of the saide John ffavour, Together also with the staires
leading into the same Vaultes or Cellers oute of the forsaide Kitchen in thoccupacion of the saide Thomas Bruskett. And also all those two vpper Romes or Chambers with a Litle Buttry att the North ende of the saide seaven greate vpper Romes and on the West side thereof nowe beinge
in thoccupacion of Charles Bradshawe Together with the voide rome waye and passage nowe therevnto vsed from the saide seaven greate vpper Romes. And also all those two Romes or Loftes nowe in thoccupacion of Edward Merry thone of them Lyenge and beinge aboue or over
the saide two vpper Romes or Chambers in thoccupacion of the saide Charles Bradshawe and on the Est and North parte thereof and havinge a Chymney in it. And thother of them lyenge over parte of the forsaide Entry or voide rome next the forsaide Pipe office. Together with the
staires leadinge from the forsaide Romes in thoccupacion of the forsaide Charles Bradshawe vp vnto the forsaide two Romes in thoccupacion of the saide Edward Merry. And also all that litle Rome nowe vsed to laye Wood and Coles in being aboute the Midle of the saide
staires westwardes which saide litle Rome last mencioned is over the forsaide Buttery nowe in thoccupacion of the saide Charles Bradshawe, and is nowe in thoccupacion of the saide Charles Bradshawe, And also all that Rome or garrett lyeng and beinge over the saide two
Romes or loftes last before mencioned in thoccupacion of the saide Edward Merry Together with the dore entry voide grounde waye and passage and staires leadinge or vsed to with or from the saide Romes in thoccupacion of the saide Edward Merry vp vnto the saide Rome or garrett
over the saide two Romes in thoccupacion of the saide Edward Merry. And also all those two lower Romes nowe in thoccupacion of the saide Peter Johnson Lyenge directlie vnder parte of the saide seaven greate vpper Romes. And also all those two other lower romes or chambers
nowe being also in the tenure or occupacion of the saide Peter Johnson beinge vnder the forsaide Romes or chambers in the occupacion of the saide Charles Bradshawe. And also the dore entry way voide grounde and passage leadinge and vsed to and from the saide greate yarde nexte
the saide Pipe office into and from the saide fowre lower Romes or Chambers. And also all that litle yarde adioyninge to the saide Lower Romes as the same is nowe enclosed with a Bricke wall and nowe beinge in thoccupacion of the saide Peter Johnson which saide ffower Lower
Romes or Chambers and litle yarde do lie betwene the saide greate yarde nexte the saide Pipe office on the North parte and an Entry leadinge into the Messuage which Margaret Pooly wydowe holdeth for terme of her life nowe in thoccupacion of the said John ffavor on
the Weste parte and a wall devidinge the saide yarde nowe in thoccupacion of the saide Peter Johnson and the yarde now in thoccupacion of the saide Peter Johnson and the yarde nowe in thoccupacion of the saide John ffavor on the South parte. And also the staires and staire
Case leadinge from the saide litle yarde nowe in thoccupacion of the said Peter Johnson vpp vnto the forsaide Chambers or Romes nowe in thoccupacion of the said Charles Bradshawe. And also all that litle yarde or peice of voide grounde with the Bricke wall therevnto belonginge
Lyenge and beinge next the Quenes high waye leadinge vnto the Ryver of Thames wherein an olde Pryvie now standeth as the same is nowe enclosed with the same Bricke wall and with a pale, next adioyninge to the house of the saide Sir William More nowe in thoccupacion of
the Right Honorable the Lorde Cobham on the Este parte, and the strete leadinge to the Thames there on the West parte, and the saide yarde next the saide Pipe office on the South parte, and the house of the saide Lorde Cobham on the North parte, All which premysses before in theis
presentes mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde are scituate Lyeinge and beinge within the saide Prescincte of the saide ^late Blacke ffryers preachers Together also with all Liberties privilidges Lightes watercourses easiamentes Comodities and appertenaunces to the forsaide Romes
Lodginges and other the premysses before in theis presentes mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde belonginge or in any wise apperteyninge And also the said Sir William More for the Consideracion aforsaide Hath Bargayned solde aliened enfeoffed and Confirmed
And by theis presentes doth Bargayne sell alien enfeoffe and Confirme vnto the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes forever free and quiett ingres egres and regres to and from the strete or waye leadinge from Ludgate vnto the Thames over vppon and
thorough the saide greate yarde next the saide Pipe office by the waies nowe therevnto vsed into and from the saide seaven greate vpper Romes and all other the premisses before in and by theis presentes mencioned to be Bargayned and solde and to and from euery or ^any
parte or parcell thereof, Together also with free Libertie for the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes to laye and dischardge his and their Wood Cole and all other Carriages necessaries and provisions in the same greate yarde last before
mencioned for Convenient tyme vntill the same maye be taken and carried awaye from thence vnto the premysses before by theis presentes mencioned to be Bargayned and solde, and so from tyme to tyme and att all tymes hereafer, the saide James Burbage
his heires and assignes leavinge convenient waies and passages to go and Comme in vpon and thorough the saide greate yarde from tyme to tyme to and from the saide Pipe office and to and from the Gardeyn and other houses and romes of the saide Sir William
More not hereby Bargayned and solde oute of the strete leadinge to the saide Ryver of Thames. So that the saide Wood Cole carriages and provisions so laied and dischardged in the saide yarde last mencioned by the said James his heires or assignes
be removed and avoided oute of and from the saide yarde within Three dayes next after it shalbe brought thether withoute frawde or further delaye And further the saide Sir William More for the Consideracion aforsaide doth by theis presentes
Graunte Bargayne and sell vnto the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes forever the Revercion and reuercions remaynder and Remaynders of all and singuler the premysses before by theis presentes mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde and
euery parte and parcell thereof (Excepte and reserved vnto the said Sir William More his heires and assignes one Rome or stole as the same is now made in and oute of the forsaide wall next the saide entry adioyninge to the saide pipe office into the forsaide
Vaulte) All whiche saide seaven greate vpper Romes and all other the premisses with thappurtenaunces aboue by theis presentes mencioned to be bargayned and solde (amongst others) Sir Thomas Cawarden knight deceased late had to him his heires and assignes
forever of the guifte and graunte of the late Kinge of famous memory Edward the Sixte late Kinge of England, as in and by his Lettres Pattentes vnder the greate Seale of England bearinge date att Westminster the Twelveth daye of Marche in the
ffourth yere of his Raigne more att Lardge appeareth, And all which saide premysses aboue by theis presentes mencioned to be Bargayned and solde, The saide Sir Thomas Cawarden in and by his Last will and Testament in writinge bearinge date in the day
of St Barthilmewe Thappostle in the yere of our Lorde god 1559 amonges other thinges Did will and declare his entent to be, That his Executors with the consent of his Overseers shoulde haue full power and aucthoritie to Bargaine sell and alyen for the
performance of his saide Last will and Testament, And also in and by the same his saide Last will and Testament did ordeyne and make Dame Elizabeth then his wife and the saide Sir William More by the name of William More of Loseley in the
County of Surrey Esquire Executors of his saide Last will and Testament and Thomas Blagrave and Thomas Hawe Overseers of the same, As in and by his saide Last will and Testament more att Lardge appeareth And all which premisses
aboue mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde amonges others the saide Dame Elizabeth Cawarden and William More Executors of the saide Last will and Testament by and with thassent consent agreament and advise of the saide Thomas
Hawe and Thomas Blagrave overseers of the saide Last will in accomplisshment thereof Did Bargayne and sell vnto John Birch Gentleman John Austen and Richard Chapman and their heires forever, As in and by their deede indented of Bargayne &
sale thereof made bearinge date the Twentith daye of December in the Seconde yere of the Raigne of our saide Soueraigne Ladie the the Quenes Maiestie that nowe is and enrolled in her Maiesties High Courte of Chauncery more att lardge appereth And all which saide
premisses with thappurtenaunces aboue mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde (amonges others) the saide John Birch, John Austen and Richard Chapman did by their deede Indented of bargayne & sale bearinge date the Two and Twentith daye of December in the saide Seconde
yere of the Raigne of our saide Soueraigne Ladie the Quenes Maiestie that nowe is Bargayne and sell to the saide Dame Elizabeth Cawarden and Sir William More and their heires forever As in and by the same Deede indented of Bargayne and sale last aboue recyted &
also enrolled in her Maiesties saide Highe Courte of Chauncery more att lardge also appeareth which said Dame Elizabeth is longe sythens deceased By reason whereof all and singuler the same premisses in and by theis presentes mencioned to be hereby Bargayned & solde
are acrued and comme vnto the saide Sir William More and his heires by right of Survivorshippe To haue and to holde all the saide Romes Lodginges Cellers Vaultes staires yardes wayes and all and singuler other the premysses with all & singuler
their appurtenaunces before in theis presentes mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde (excepte before excepted) to the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes forever to thonlie vse and behoufe of the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes
forevermore And the saide Sir William More doth Covenaunte and Graunte for himselfe his heires executors and administrators to and with the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes by theis presentes, That he the saide Sir William More is and
standeth att the tyme of thensealinge and deliuery of theis presentes lawfullie and absolutlie seazed of the saide Romes Lodginges yardes and of all and singuler other the premysses in and by theis presentes mencioned to be Bargayned & solde, in his Demeasne as of
ffee Symple. And that the saide Romes Lodginges Cellers Vaultes staires yardes and all and singuler other the premysses before in and by theis presentes mencioned to be hereby Bargayned and solde (excepte before excepted) the daye of the date hereof are, and
att all tymes and from tyme to tyme forever hereafter shall stande contynue and remayne to the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes forever clerelie acquited exonerated and dischardged, Or elles by the saide Sir William More his heires or
Assignes vpon reasonable request thereof to him or them made by the saide James Burbage his heires or assignes sufficientile saved or kepte harmeles of and from all former Bargaynes sales guiftes grauntes Joynters Dowers Leases estates Annuities rentes
Chardge Arrerages of Rentes Statutes Marchant and of the Staple Recognizaunces Iudgementes execucions yssues ffees ffynes amerciamentes and of and from all other Chardges titles trobles and incombraunces whatsoever had made Comytted or done by the saide Sir
William More and by the forsaide Sir Thomas Cawarden Knight deceased or by either of them or by any other person or persons by with or vnder their or any of their estate right title assent consent acte meanes or procurement And also that he the
saide James Burbage his heires and assignes shall or maye fom hensforthe forever Peasablie and quietlie haue hold occupie possesse enioye and kepe all the saide Romes Lodginges Cellers yardes and all and singuler other the premysses with thappurtenaunces
before by theis presentes mencioned to be hereby bargayned & solde and euery parte and parcell thereof (excepte above excepted) withoute any Lett troble vexacion eviccion recouery interrupcion or contradiccion of the saide Sir William More his heires or assignes or ^of any of them. And withoute
any Lawfull lett troble vexacion eviccion recouery or interrupcion of any other person or persons whatsoeuer Lawfullie havinge or Clayminge or which hereafter shall Lawfullie haue or clayme any estate right title or interest in and to the saide Romes lodginges and other the premysses before by
theis presentes mencioned to be Bargayned and solde or in or to any parte or parcell thereof, by from or vnder the saide Sir William More and Sir Thomas Cawarden or any of them or their or either of their estate right title or interest And the saide Sir William More
doth also Covenaunte and Graunte for himselfe his heires executors and assignes to and with the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes by theis presentes, That he the saide Sir William More and his heires shall and will from tyme to tyme duringe the space
and terme of Three yeres next ensuinge after the date hereof att or vpon reasonable request thereof to him or them or any of them to be made by the saide James Burbage his heires or assignes or any of them well and truelie do knowledge execute cause
and suffer to be made done and executed all and euery suche further acte and actes thing and thinges devise and devises Assuraunce and assuraunces in the Lawe whatsoever for the further and more better assuraunce suertie and more sure-
makinge of the saide Romes Lodginges and all other the premysses with thappurtenaunces before in theis presentes mencioned to be hereby bargayned and solde vnto the saide James Burbage his heires and assignes foreuer to thonly vse and behouf of the saide
James Burbage his heires and assignes forevermore, Be it by deede or deedes indented or inrolled or not enrolled thenrollment of theis presentes fyne ffeoffamemt recouery with single or doble voucher Release Confirmacion or otherwise with warrantie only of the
saide Sir William More and his heires againste him the saide Sir William More and his heires or all or as many of theis waies or meanes or any other as by the saide James Burbage his heires or assignes or any of them or by his or their or any of ^their
Learned counsell in the Lawe shalbe reasonablie advised or devised & required, att thonlie costes and chardges in the Lawe of the saide James Burbage his heires or assignes, So as the same assuraunce or assuraunces in forme aforsaide to be had & made by the
saide Sir William More or his heires to the saide James Burbage his heires or assignes do not comprehende in them or any of them any further or greater warrantie then only againste the saide Sir William More and his heires and the heires sof the saide Sir
Thomas Carwarden. And so as the saide Sir William More & his heires or any of them be not compelled to travayle in person any furder then to the Cities of London & Westminster or any of them for the makinge knowledginge or executinge of the saide assuraunces in forme
aforsaide to be had or made And furdermore  the saide Sir William More doth by theis presentes authorize nominate & appoynte George Austen gentleman and Henry Smyth Marchauntailor to be his lawfull deputies & attorneyes ioyntlie & seuerallie for
and in his name to enter into all the saide Romes lodginges Cellers & all other the premysses before in theis presentes mencioned to be hereby bargayned & solde & into euery parte thereof and peasable possession & season thereof for him & in his name to take and after suche
possession & season thereof so had & taken to deliuer possession & season thereof & of euery parte thereof vnto the saide James Burbage his heires & assignes accordinge to the pur porte effecte true entent & meaninge of theis presentes And all & whatsoever his saide
Attorneyes or either of them shall by vertue of theis presentes do or cause to be done in his name in executon of the premysses he the saide Sir William More & his heires shall & will Ratefie confirme  & allowe by theis presentes In witnes whereof the parties firste
aboue named to theis Indentures sonderlye haue sett their seales the daye & yeare first aboue written.

[Last line, hidden under fold in the copy shown in the photo, is taken from the enrolled copy, TNA C 54/1540]

(signed) James Burbadge

[endorsed center top of verso]

sealed & deliuered in the presence of the persons
whose names been herevnder subscribed
George Austen
William Serche scryvanor

[endorsed right top of verso]

the other part of this indenture was knoledged [i.e. acknowledged] by Sir William More
before a Master in Chauncery quarto die ffebruarij Anno
xxxviijo infra script & possession also geven the same daye
no bond for performance of the covenantes within mencioned
George Austen

[endorsed middle center of verso]

James burbage tochying howses
in the blakefryers

Written by Heather Wolfe

Last updated February 23, 2020