The Lamentable and True Tragedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent

The Lamentable and True Tragedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent (1592)
by Anonymous

aka Arden of Feversham

Arden of Feversham is an Elizabethan play, entered into the Register of the Stationers Company on 3 April 1592, and printed later that same year by Edward White. It depicts the murder of Thomas Arden by his wife Alice Arden and her lover, and their subsequent discovery and punishment. The play is notable as perhaps the earliest surviving example of domestic tragedy, a form of Renaissance play which dramatized recent and local crimes rather than far-off and historical events.

This transcription is of the first edition. It contains no explicit demarcations between Acts/Scenes beyond character entries and exits. For reading convenience, it has been divided up into five acts in accordance with the edition of the play edited by Ronald Bayne in 1897.

The playwright isn't known, although the work has been variously attributed, including to William Shakespeare and Thomas Kyd.

3602735The Lamentable and True Tragedie of M. Arden of Feversham in Kent1592Anonymous

THE

LAMENTABLE

AND TRVE TRAGEDIE
OF M.
ARDEN OF FEVERSHAM
IN KENT.

Who was most wickedlye murdered, by
the meanes of his disloyall and wanton
wyfe, who for the love she bare to one
Mosbie, hyred two desperat ruffins
Blackwill and Shakbag,
to kill him.

Wherin is shewed the great mallice
and discimulation of a wicked woman,
the vnsatiable desire of filthie lust
and the shamefull end of all
murderers.

Imprinted at London for Edward
White, dwelling at the lyttle North
dore of Paules Church at
the signe of the
Gun, 1592.
*

page

Acts (not listed in original)

Layout 2

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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