includes 'my share of aparell, £100'.[1] And he certainly remained interested in the company. They were his tenants at the Fortune, although an unexecuted draft of a lease to Thomas Downton dated in 1608 suggests that he may have taken steps to transfer the whole or a share of his direct interest to them. Under this lease Downton was to receive during thirteen years a thirty-second part of the daily profits accruing to Henslowe and Alleyn, and in return to pay £27 10s., a rent of 10s. annually and his proportionate share of repairs, and to bind himself to play in the house and not elsewhere without consent.[2] On 11 April 1612 Robert Browne is found writing to Alleyn on behalf of one Mr. Rose, lately 'entertayned amongst the princes men', to request his interest as one 'who he knowes can strike a greter stroke amongst them then this' to procure him a 'gathering place' for his wife.[3] Another letter from Bird to Alleyn, also about a gatherer, is amusing enough to quote in full. It is undated.
'Sir there is one Jhon Russell, that by yowr apoyntment was made
a gatherer w^{th} vs, but my fellowes finding often falce to vs, haue many
tymes warnd him ffrom taking the box. And he as often, with moste
damnable othes, hath vowde neuer to touch, yet not with standing his
execrable othes, he hath taken the box, & many tymes moste vnconsionablye
gathered, for which we haue resolued he shall neuer more
come to the doore; yet for your sake, he shall haue his wages, to be a
nessessary atendaunt on the stage, and if he will pleasure himself and
vs, to mend our garmentes, when he hath leysure, weele pay him
for that to. I pray send vs word if this motion will satisfie you; for
him his dishonestye is such we knowe it will not, Thus yealding our
selues in that & a farr greater matter to be comaunded by you I
committ you to god. Your loving ffrend to comaunde. W Birde.'[4]
With the exception of Alleyn, all the players of the 1604
list and no others appear in the patent of 1606, the text of
which follows:[5]
De concessione licenciae pro Thoma Downton et aliis. Iames by the grace of God &c. To all Iustices, Maiors, Sheriffes, bailiffes, Constables, headboroughes and other our officers and loving subiectes greeting. Knowe ye that wee of our especiall grace, certaine knowledge, and meere mocion haue licenced and auctorized, and by theis presentes doe licence and auctorize Thomas Downton, Thomas Towne, William Byrde, Edwarde Iuby, Samuell Rowle, Humfrey Ieffes, Charles Massey, and Anthonie Ieffes, Servauntes to our dearest sonne the Prince, and the rest of theire
