Richard Edwardes
Encyclopedia
Richard Edwardes was an English poet
and playwright
; he was made a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal
, and was master of the singing boys. He was known for his comedies and interludes, but was also rumoured to be an illegitimate son of Henry VIII
.
In 1566, Edwardes' Palamon and Arcite
was performed before Elizabeth I
at Oxford
when
the stage fell — three people died and five were injured as a result. Despite the tragic accident, the show continued to play that night.
Damon and Pythias
(written in 1564, published in 1571), a comedy, is his only extant play.
Ten of Edwardes' poems appear in the first edition of the Paradise of Dainty Devices, though publisher Henry Disle says the poems are "written for the most part by M. [Master] Edwards." Edwardes possibly compiled the manuscript on which the Paradise of Dainty Devices is based.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
and playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
; he was made a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
, and was master of the singing boys. He was known for his comedies and interludes, but was also rumoured to be an illegitimate son of Henry VIII
Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII was King of England from 21 April 1509 until his death. He was Lord, and later King, of Ireland, as well as continuing the nominal claim by the English monarchs to the Kingdom of France...
.
In 1566, Edwardes' Palamon and Arcite
Palamon and Arcite
"Palamon and Arcite" is part of Fables, Ancient and Modern written by John Dryden and published in 1700. "Palamon and Arcite" is a translation of "The Knight's Tale" from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer. Although the plot line is identical, Dryden expanded the original text with poetic...
was performed before Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I of England
Elizabeth I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from 17 November 1558 until her death. Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty...
at Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
when
the stage fell — three people died and five were injured as a result. Despite the tragic accident, the show continued to play that night.
Damon and Pythias
Damon and Pythias (play)
Damon and Pythias is the only surviving play by Richard Edwards. Written in 1564 but not published until 1571, the play chronicles the Greek friendship story of Damon and Pythias....
(written in 1564, published in 1571), a comedy, is his only extant play.
Ten of Edwardes' poems appear in the first edition of the Paradise of Dainty Devices, though publisher Henry Disle says the poems are "written for the most part by M. [Master] Edwards." Edwardes possibly compiled the manuscript on which the Paradise of Dainty Devices is based.