APGRD id
6268
Start date
7th March 1520
Production Media
Stage-play
Languages
Latin
Associated ancient works
APGRD Notes
Identified as the earliest record of a classical performance in England. Described in Edward Hall's 'The Union of the two noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre [and] Yorke' (1548). Hall states that "a goodly
commedy of Plautus plaied" on "the vii daie of Marche 1519" before King Henry VIII and the Queen (Katherine of Aragon) in "his greate chambre at Grenewiche". Hall's account is prior to the 1752 calendar change (when the start of the English New Year moved from 25 March to 1 January); in the modern calendar the performance would be dated to 7 March 1520. Hall notes that the play, along with a masque, was performed at the King's request to entertain hostage French noblemen.
commedy of Plautus plaied" on "the vii daie of Marche 1519" before King Henry VIII and the Queen (Katherine of Aragon) in "his greate chambre at Grenewiche". Hall's account is prior to the 1752 calendar change (when the start of the English New Year moved from 25 March to 1 January); in the modern calendar the performance would be dated to 7 March 1520. Hall notes that the play, along with a masque, was performed at the King's request to entertain hostage French noblemen.
URI
https://apgrd.classics.ox.ac.uk/productions/production/6268