[1593, April 12. Minute of City Court of Aldermen, printed in Harrison, iv. 322, from Repertory, xxiii, f. 50^v.]
Elders of the Councell. Bearebaitinge and plaies. Item, yt is ordered that Sir Richarde Martyn, Knighte, and Master Saltonstall, aldermen, shall repayre to the righte honourable the Lordes and others of her Maiesties most honorable Pryuey Counsell, towching the presente suppressinge of bearebaitinge, bowling alleyes, and such like prophane exercises within this Cytie, and the libertyes thereof, and other places neare adioyninge. And Christofer Stubbes to warne them, etc.
xcv.
[1593, April 29. Privy Council Minute, printed Dasent, xxiv. 209.]
An open warrant for the plaiers, servantes to the Erle of Sussex,
authorysinge them to exercyse theire qualitie of playinge comedies
and tragedies in any county, cittie, towne or corporacion not being
within vij^{en} miles of London, where the infection is not, and in places
convenient and tymes fitt.
xcvi.
[1593, May 6. Privy Council Minute, printed Dasent, xxiv. 212; cf.
text in Bk. iii.]
Gives authority to Strange's men, notwithstanding inhibition of
plays in London, to perform in towns seven miles from London or
court, at their most convenient times and places, except during times
of divine prayer.
xcvii.
[1594, Feb. 3. The Privy Council to Sir Cuthbert Buckle, Lord Mayor,
printed M. S. C. i. 72, from Remembrancia, ii. 6.]
For restraint of playes. After our very hartie commendations to your L. Whearas certein infourmation is given that very great multitudes of all sorts of people do daylie frequent & resort to common playes lately again set vp in & about London, whearby it is vpon good cause feared that the dangerous infection of the plague, by Gods great mercy and goodnes well slaked, may again very dangerously encrease and break foorth, to the great losse and preiudice of hir Maiesties Subiects in generall & especially to those of that Citie, of whose safetie & well doing hir Highnes hath alwayes had an especiall regard, as by the last years experience by lyke occasions & resort to playes it soddainly encreased from a very little number to that greatnes of mortallitie which ensued. Wee thearfore thought it very expedient to require your L. foorthwith to take strait order that thear bee no more publique playes or enterludes exercised by any Compaine whatsoever within the compas of five miles distance from London, till vpon better lykelyhood and assurance
