ISBN:
9780191859953
Language:
English
Pages:
1 online resource (416 pages) :
,
illustrations (colour).
Edition:
Second edition.
Series Statement:
Oxford scholarship online
Series Statement:
Oxford Academic.
Parallel Title:
Print version: Mastering the revels : the regulation and censorship of early modern drama.
DDC:
303.3
Keywords:
English drama History and criticism. Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600
;
English drama History and criticism. 17th century
;
Theater Censorship 16th century.
;
History
;
Theater Censorship 17th century.
;
History
;
Drama Censorship 16th century.
;
History
;
Drama Censorship 17th century.
;
History
;
Renaissance
;
Electronic books.
;
Electronic books
Abstract:
Mastering the Revels traces the measures taken by the governments of Elizabeth I, James I, and Charles I to regulate the new phenomenon of fixed playhouses and resident playing companies in London, and to censor their plays. It focuses on the Masters of the Revels, whose primary function was to seek out theatrical entertainment for the court but whose role expanded to include oversight of the players and their playhouses. The book proceeds chronologically, tracking each of the Masters in the period-Edmund Tilney (served 1579-1610), Sir George Buc (1610-1622), Sir John Astley (1622-1623) and Sir Henry Herbert (1623-1642). Tilney was the first to receive a Special Commission, giving him wide-ranging powers over the players. When Buc first became involved is examined here in detail, as is the parallel history of the Children of the Queen's Revels who, between 1604 and 1608, staged some of the most scandalous plays of the era. Astley succeeded Buc, but soon sold the office to Herbert, who then served to the closing of the theatres. Manuscripts of plays censored by Tilney, Buc, and Herbert have survived and are examined in detail to assess their concerns. Large parts of Herbert's office-book have also survived, giving detailed insights into his professional life, including interactions with both the court and the players. It reveals the difficulties he faced negotiating recurrent popular pressure for war against Spain, resistance to Archbishop Laud's reforms of the church, and Henrietta Maria's problematic presence as a Catholic queen to Charles I.
Description / Table of Contents:
List of Illustrations -- Usual Practices, Abbreviations and Citations -- A Brief History of Early Modern Theatrical Censorship and Control -- Introduction: Through a Glass, Darkly -- Thinking About Censorship -- Sejanus: An Object Lesson -- The Records of the Masters of the Revels -- 1. Country and Court: A System of Control Emerges, 1549-1579 -- Edward VI and Queen Mary -- Elizabeth I -- An Act for the Punishment of Vagabonds, 1572 -- Battle Lines Drawn -- Masters of the Revels -- 2. Tilney, Patronage, and Profit, 1579-1589 -- Edmund Tilney's Special Commission, 1581 -- Literary Skills of Masters of the Revels -- Tilney at Work -- John Lyly -- Robert Wilson -- The Sponsorship of Plays by People of Consequence -- 3. 1586-1592: Decrees for Orders in Printing; 'Martin Marprelate'; Tilney Reappears; Christopher Marlowe -- Decrees for Orders in Printing, 1586 -- 'Martin Marprelate' -- Tilney's Limited Authority -- Christopher Marlowe -- 4. 1592-1602: The Theatrical World Reassembles; Tilney's Position Consolidated -- 1592-1598 -- Falstaff -- The Isle of Dogs -- The 'Duopoly' Acknowledged -- Tilney's Authority and Income, with Some Licensing Issues -- Tilney's Censorship: (a) Richard II -- Tilney's Censorship: (b) The Book of Sir Thomas More -- Late Elizabethan Jonson -- 5a. Transition and Transgression: From Tilney to Buc, 1603-1610 -- Who Controlled What, and When? -- Buc and the Children of the Blackfriars -- Wider Issues Arising -- Other Theatrical Changes -- 5b. The 'Little Eyases' and the Early Years of James's Reign -- Philotas -- Gowrie -- The Malcontent and The Dutch Courtesan -- Eastward Ho! -- Sejanus -- The Isle of Gulls -- The Byron and Scottish Mines Plays -- The Winding Up of the Blackfriars Boys -- Libel -- 6. Sir George Buc, 1610-1622, and Topical Readings -- The Second Maiden's Tragedy -- Sir John Van Olden Barnavelt -- Theatrical Control during Buc's Tenure of Office -- 7. From Astley to Herbert: The Contest for Office, 1622-1623 -- Astley -- Astley to Herbert -- 8. 1623-1642: Sir Henry Herbert, A Master at Work -- Getting His Feet under the Table -- Turning Authority into Money -- Share Owner and Arbitrator -- Censorship and Non-censorship -- Closer to Home -- Philip, Earl of Pembroke and the Duke of Buckingham: The Uses of Drama -- 1632-1634 -- 1634-1642 -- Conclusions: The King and the Subject -- Bibliography -- Index.
Note:
Previously issued in print: 1991.
,
Previosly issued title as "Mastering the revels: the regulation and censorship of English Renaissance drama".
,
Also available in Print and PDF edition.
URL:
https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780198819455.001.0001
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