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Southern Tastes?

Sally Beth McMillin has noted that the Stanleys seemed to favour a different type of entertainment to other northern families. Whilst their neighbours enjoyed musicians and tumblers, the Stanleys received famous southern acting companies. She suggests that they had "had more sophisticated tastes for their personal entertainment."

- "A Family Tradition" 215.

 

 

Sir Edmund Trafford in the Audience

Sir Edmund Trafford, is praised on two separate occasions in "Fair Em." It is likely that "Fair Em" would have been performed in the Stanley Household, and that Sir Edmund Trafford and his son would have been present as they were both frequent visitors.

- See Alwin Thaler "Faire Em (And Shakspere's Company?) in Lancashire."

 

 

The Road to Lancashire

We know that the road to Lancashire was particularly hard terrain. It is possible that companies travelled via horseback. It was an impressive undertaking to visit the Stanleys as frequently as Strange's Men and the Queen's Men did.

- McMillin and MacLean 39.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visiting the Stanley Households

Whilst little of the original buildings of the Stanley household survive, we do know much about other noble households from the same period. Barbara D. Palmer has surveyed information for households of two noble families, the Cavendishes and the Cliffords. From both these households records, she notes that it was usual for players to get dinner and supper, and the kindly Cliffords would also provide breakfast. Most notably players would be invited to eat in the hall: "with other respectable 'straungers', gentleman, and visitors." Players and their horses would be accommodated which could amount to "at least a shilling a day" (28 -29) and they would be invited to eat at or present themselves to the steward's board.

This then reveals three interesting points:

  1. Companies were quite distinguished guests at a household.
  2. It was fairly expensive to host players.
  3. The involvement of the Steward's board also "suggests some conference among senior players, troupe road manager, and household steward" (Palmer 28).

Thinking about this information in light of the companies' visits to the Stanley household suggests that it was an important event to have an acting company at the household, and perhaps the companies would have consulted with the Steward on which play they should present before the family and their invited guests.

 

 

Performances at Knowsley Hall, Lathom House, and New Park

The following table details the records of the Strange's Men's and Queen's Men's visits found in the Derby Household Book (as recorded by REED):

  • 30 Dec 1587
  • 11 Oct 1588
  • 31 Dec 1588
  • 5 Jan 1589
  • 6 July 1589
  • 6 Sep 1589
  • 25 Jun 1590
  • 15 Feb 1590
  • 10 Sep 1590

Stanley Household: Knowsley Hall

Visiting Acting Company: Probably Strange's Men

Exact Date: 30 Dec. 1587

Derby Household Book Note: Players' departure date.

Comment: There has been some confusion over whether this note refers to Sir Thomas Hesketh's players, or Strange's Men. Consensus agrees that the confusion arises from William Ffarington's, the household steward, terse use of punctuation. The note is referring to the company leaving (Strange's company) and Sir Thomas Hesketh visiting (see REED, Raines, and Alwin Thaler).

It is likely that this was one of the first performances of Strange's Men since the arrival of new players. At this time of year they would have been entertaining the family over Christmas. It is not clear when they arrived, so it seems possible that they may have been in residence for some time (Raines).

Stanley Household: New Park

Visiting Acting Company: Queen's Men

Exact Date: 11 Oct. 1588

Derby Household Book Note: Players in residence.

Comment: Lord Derby was away from early 1588 on an ambassador mission to the Duke of Parma’s court in the Spanish Netherlands (Baggley 57-58). The arrival of the Queen's Men soon after he returned home, may signify the Queen wishing to show her gratitude for his work on her behal (Manley, “Motives for Patronage")..

 

 

Stanley Household: Lathom House

Visiting Acting Company: Probably Strange's Men

Exact Date: 31 Dec. 1588

Derby Household Book Note: Players in residence.

Comment: The company were likely performing for the Stanleys during the Christmas season. The troupe was therefore probably in residence at Lathom at least until 5 Jan. 1588/9 (when they played again).

 

 

Stanley Household: Lathom House

Visiting Acting Company: Probably Strange's Men

Exact Date: 5 Jan.1588/9

Derby Household Book Note: Players played.

Comment: This was probably the end date of the Strange's Men's residence in the Stanley household from 31 Dec 1589. They most likely had stayed over the Christmas period and entertained the household and the family's guests.

 

 

Stanley Household: Lathom House

Visiting Acting Company: Queen's Men

Exact Date: 6 July 1589–7 July 1589

Derby Household Book Note: Performance dates.

Comment: It is noted that the Queen's Men played for several nights.

 

 

Stanley Household: Knowsley Hall

Visiting Acting Company: Queen's Men

Exact Date: 6 Sept. 1589–7 Sept. 1589

Derby Household Book Note: Performance dates.

Comment: It is noted that the Queen's Men performed in the evening of 6 Sept. and in the afternoon of 7 Sept., and then Essex's players performed in the evening of 7 Sept. This would have been quite the event.

 

Stanley Household: Knowsley Hall

Visiting Acting Company: Queen's Men

Exact Date: 25 June 1590–26 June 1590

Derby Household Book Note: Players in residence.

Comment: From the pattern, it is notable that the Queen's Men visit the Stanleys at least twice this year.

 

 

 

Stanley Household: Lathom House

Visiting Acting Company: Probably Strange's Men.

Exact Date: 15 Feb. 1589/90–21 Feb. 1589/90

Derby Household Book Note: Players performed.

Comment: It is likely that Strange's Men were in residence during the Shrovetide period to entertain the family.

 

 

 

Stanley Household: Knowsley Hall

Visiting Acting Company: Queen’s Men

Exact Date: 10 Sept. 1590

Derby Household Book Note: Players in residence before this date.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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