4 January, 1595 - Richmond Palace

Henslowe's Diary makes no mention of it, but court records tell us that on this day, 424 years ago, the Admiral's Men performed a play at Richmond Palace.

Richmond Palace was a spectacular royal residence on the banks of the Thames. Sadly, it no longer exists, but if you take a look at my earlier entry on Hampton Court Palace, you will get a sense of what a performance at Richmond might have been like.

Richmond Palace by Anthony Wyngaerde, mid-16th century

We do not know what play the company performed here, so we will just have to imagine them running their lines as they were rowed down the river toward their meeting with the Queen.

FURTHER READING

• John Astington, English Court Theatre, 1558-1642 (Cambridge University Press, 1999), 57-63, 234

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!