out upon the stage, great improvements had been made in the plays; in the actors; and in the theatre; but that much was still wanting to reduce [divers] townes and howsses and other Erryinge [airing] in Ieneverey ffor cayrtene playes by the gramar skolle of Westmyn- Sir Percivall Hart's Sons 1564-The 18th of Februerie wages or dieats of the Officers and Tayllors paynttars workinge uppon divs [divers] Cities and Towns and the Emperours Pallace & other Devisses carvars mēers for sarsnett and other stuff & Lynen Drappars for canvas to cov~ [cover] the Towns with all and other pvicions for a playe maid by Sir Percival Hartts Sones wa maske of huntars and div [divers] devisses and a Rocke or hill ffor the 9 Musses to singe uppon wth. a vayne of sarsnett drawn upp and downe before them &c. 1564-Shroftid ffollowinge wages or dieats of the them not occupied nor sene wth thare frenge and tassells to seme new and div. showes made by the Gentillmen of Greys line mcers [mercers] for sarsnett and other stuff Silkwemen for frenge and tasselles Lynen Drappers for canvas ppertie makers and other pvicions and Recessaries £. 87 7 8. 8 6 8. dramatick representations into the most perfect form. When we throw our eyes upon the scenick pas times of those days, we see that Queen Elizabeth was chiefly entertained by children; by the children of Paul's; by the children of Westminster; by the children of the chapel; and by the children of Windsor. The truth is, that our drama first took its rise in the schools; which were settled in the monasteries, or were established in the Universities.o The sock, and the buskin, passed, by an easy transition, from the school boys to the singing boys. As early as the year 1430, the choristers, or eleemosinary boys of Maxtoke-priory, near Coven try, acted a play every year. Henry the VIIth was entertained, in a similar manner, by the choristers of Winchester, in 1487.2 Henry the VIIIth, Edward the VIth, and Mary, were, in their turns, dramatically amused by singing boys. As early as the year 1378, the choristers of St. Paul's cathedral, in London, petitioned Richard the IId, 3 Eyrringe [airing] Repayringe in Aprill fol- 10 8 3. 444 10 11. It is to be remembered, that the marginal notes are in Lord Burleigh's hand; and that the Roman numerals of the original document are converted into Arabick numerals, for conveni ence. 9 Warton's Hist. of Poetry, Vol. II. p. 388-9. 1 Ib. 390. Ib. Vol. I. p. 206. a Ib. Vol. II. p. 391. that he would prohibit ignorant persons from acting The History of the Old Testament, which the clergy of that church had prepared, at a great expence, for publick representation, during the ensuing Christmas. From acting mysteries, these choristers passed, by a gradual progress, to the performance of more regular dramas. They became so famous for the superiority of their scenick skill, that they were sent for, whenever great entertainments were given in the country; in order to contribute, by their mimick art, diversion to the Briton reveller♫ The children of St. Paul's were the favourite actors, at the accession of Elizabeth: And, in consequence of their celebrity, and success, they at length found imitators, and rivals, in the children of Westminster, in the children of the Chapel, and in the children of Windsor; who all continued to entertain Elizabeth while she lived; though much seldomer towards the conclusion of her reign, as the established actors, necessarily, gained a superiority over them in the art, and its accommodations." • Id. Warton's Hist. of Poetry, Vol. II. p. 391. In June, 1552, Richard Bower, the master of the King's children of the chapel, was authorised to take up as many children as he might think fit, to serve there from time to time. [Strype's Mem. Vol. II. p. 539.] Richard Bower, who had been master of the children of the chapel, under Henry the VIIIth, and Edward the VIth, was continued in that office, on the 30 Apr. 1559, with a salary of £.40. a year Rym. Foed. Tom. XV. p. 517.] Commissions issued in the 4th, 9th, and 39th of Elizabeth" to take up well singing boys, for furnishing the Queen's chapel." [Lyson's Environs, Vol. I. p. 92.] 7 I here subjoin a chronological list of the several payments to those CHILDREN, as the rewards of their performances, which were gleaned from the council registers: Whether those choristers were always children may admit of some doubt. The word child had 10th Janry 1562-3-Paid Sebastian Westcott, master of the children of Paul's 8th Iañry 1564-5-Paid Sebastian Westcott, master of the children of Pauls, for a play on Christmas last 12th Jañry 1566-7-Paid Sebastian Westcott, master of the children of Pauls, for £.6 13 4 6 13 4 two plays on Christmas last 13 6 8 13th Febry 1566-7-Paid John Taylor, master of the children of Westminster, for a play on Shrovetide last 6134 12th Janry 1572-3-Paid Richard Ferraunt, master of the children of Windsor, for a play on St. John's day last -Paid Sebastian Westcott, master Do. Do 6 13 4 of the children of Pauls, for a play on New years day last 6 13 4 -Paid John Honnys, Gent, master of the children of the chapel, for a play on Twelfth day last 6 13 4 29th Febry 1572-3-Paid the master of the children of Westminster, for a play on Shrove-tuesday last 10th Jañry 1573-4-Paid Sebastian Westcott, for a play at Christmas last play at Christmas last 10th Jañry 1573-4-Paid Richard Ferraunt, for a 29th Dec. 1575-Paid the master of the children of Windsor, for a play on St. John's day last 7th Janry 1575-6-Paid Sebastian [Westcott] master of the children of Pauls, for a play at Twelfth day last 613 4 6 13 4 6 13 4 10 10 20th D° 1576-7-Paid the children of the chapel, formerly a very different signification, than it has lately had; as we may learn from our old English And by way of reward £.2 10. to each of them 20th Febry 1576-7-Paid the master of the children And by way of reward 5 marks. 16th Jañry 1578-9-Paid the children of Pauls -Paid the children of the chapel 12th March 1577-8-Paid Richard Ferraunt, master And by way of reward 25th Jañry 1579-80-Paid the master and children of the chapel And by way of reward 25th Janry 1579-80-Paid the master and children of Pauls 30th Jañry 1580-1-Paid the master of the children of Pauls, for a play on Twelfth day 13th Febry 1580-1-Paid the master of the children of the chapel, for a play on Shrove Sunday last And by way of reward 1st April 1582-Paid the master of the children of the chapel, for two plays on And by way of reward 24th April 1582-Paid the children of Pauls, for play on St. Stephen's day last a 9th April 1588-Paid Thomas Giles, master of the children of Pauls, for a play on Shrove Sunday 20 marks. 20 nobles. 10 10 |