In 1582 a play called “A Game of Cards” was presented at Court. This play was performed before the Queen at Windsor on the evening of St. Stephen’s Day. In the original document the entry is as follows: “A Comodie or Morrall, devised on ‘A Game of the Cardes.’”
1569. Richard Farrant, Master of the Children of Windsor Chapel, was paid £6 13s. 4d. for a play “performed by these boys before the Queen upon St. John’s daye, at nighte last past.” There are several entries relating to this company, but the place where they acted is not stated; most probably the Windsor boys only acted at Windsor Castle.
1563. The Children of Westminster School acted before the Queen at Windsor.
As far back as the year 1300, a royal palace was in existence at Greenwich. Nothing is known of this early building until the end of the reign of Henry IV. Afterwards it came into the possession of the Duke of Gloucester, who beautified the place and considerably extended the grounds, calling the palace Palacentia, on account of its sweet and pleasing aspect.
[Illustration: Greenwich Palace in the time of Elizabeth.]
Henry VIII was born here, and in after years his birthplace was an object of his special devotion, he spending much of his time and income on enlarging the building and laying out the grounds.
In the great Hall many feasts and entertainments were held, these occasions being specially noted for the lavishness and splendour displayed. This monarch greatly encouraged the performing of the Masque, then newly imported from Italy. “On the day of the Epiphany, at night, the King, with eleven others, were disguised after the manner of Italy, called a masque a thing not seen before in England, they were apparelled in garments long and broad wrought all in gold.” The King himself took part in these gorgeous displays. Queen Elizabeth was also born at Greenwich; like her royal father, she was much attached to the palace and greatly enlarged the edifice. The Presence Chamber was hung with rich tapestries, and the floor, as was usual in those days, was strewn with rushes.
Plays were frequently acted at this palace, Greenwich being a favourite residence of Queen Elizabeth. In 1584, the Queen’s players acted before Her Majesty here on St. Stephen’s Day at night; the next day the Earl of Oxenford’s plays were performed before the Queen, the play presented being “The History of Agamemnon and Ulysses”; this play was acted on St. John’s Day at night. The St. John’s Day mentioned is in celebration of the Evangelist of that name whose birth is honoured on the 27th of December; this saint must not be confused with John the Baptist, whose name day is celebrated both on the 24th of June and the 29th of August. The play acted on St. Stephen’s Day was “Phylbyda and Corin.”