are entertained with the municipal courtesy of 'wine and sugar', or with a 'drinkinge', 'banket', or 'breakfast' at their inn.[1] At Gloucester the entertainment, of 'wine and chirries', took place in the house of 'Mr. Swordbearer', an official of the corporation. In the main the customs of the different towns seem to have been singularly uniform, but here and there variations of detail present themselves. Thus the mayor's play was not everywhere, as at Gloucester, open to all comers. A 'free' play is noted at Newcastle; at Bath and Canterbury on the other hand there was a 'gathering', supplemented by the town's reward.[2] At Leicester the same arrangement prevailed up to the end of the sixteenth century. The 'gathering' was levied upon the members of the two councils known as the 'Twenty-four' and the 'Forty-eight'; and orders are upon record limiting this liability to performances by the royal companies or the servants of privy councillors.[3] In 1590-1 collections were also taken 'at the hall dore'.
- ↑ Murray, ii. 205, 229, 247, 261-3, 277-81, 284-5, 377-8, &c.
- ↑ Ibid. 202, 224, 'Given to the Queens plaiers xixs iiijd, and was to make it up xxvjs viijd that was gathered at the benche' (Bath, 1587); 'xvs beside the gatheringe' (Bath, 1588); 'xvs vjd besides that which was given by the companie' (Bath, 1592); 'iijs viijd on and besyde the benevolens of the people' (Canterbury, 1549); G. B. Richardson, Extracts from the Municipal Accounts of Newcastle, 'the Erle of Sussessx plaiers in full payment of £3 for playing a free play, commanded by Mr Maiore' (1594).
- ↑ Kelly, 197, 209, 247. On 22 Nov. 1566 a Corporation 'Act agaynst Waystynge of the Towne Stock' laid down that at plays there should be no 'greate alowance' out of the stock for rewards to players, but that 'euery one of the Maiores Brethren & of the xlviij beinge requyred, or havinge sommons by the comaundement of Mr. Maior for the tyme beinge to be there shall beare euery one of theym his & theire porcion'. This was confirmed on 4 Jan. 1570. On 16 Nov. 1582, 'It is agreed that frome henceforthe there shall not bee anye ffees or rewards gevon by the Chamber of this Towne, nor anye of the xxiiijti or xlviijti to be charged with anye payments ffor or towards anye Bearewards, Beearbaytings, Players, Playes, Enterludes or Games, or anye of theym except the Quenes Maiesties or the Lords of the Privye Counsall, nor that anye Players bee suffred to playe att the Towne Hall (except before except) & then butt onlye before the Mayor & his bretherne, vppon peyne of xls to be lost by the Mayor that shall suffer or doe to the contrarye, to be levyed by his successour, vpon peyne of vli if he make default therein'. On 30 Jan. 1607, 'It is
players had broken downe there this yeare' (Barnstaple, 1593-4); 'for mending the bord in the Yeld hall and the doers there, after my L. of Leycesters players who had leave to play there' (Bristol, 1577-8); 'for mending of ii forormes which were taken out of St George Chapple and set in the Yeld hall at the play, and by the disordre of the people were broken' (Bristol, 1581); 'for mendinge the cheyre in the parlor at the Hall . . . which was broken by the playars' (Leicester, 1605); 'for mendinge the glasse wyndowes att the towne hall more then was given by the playors whoe broake the same' (Leicester, 1608); &c.
