Who Wrote Shakespeare? - The Dark Lady Discovery

I envy you your playgoing and British TV, Helio. I have to settle for Branagh's four-hour DVD. I'm having trouble getting around Jack Lemmon.

Southampton is supposed to be the patron of the author of Richard II and Southampton was one of the ringleaders of the Essex Rebellion. Why wouldn't the author have been hauled in for questioning along with the players - unless (could it be?) he was the first called on the jury? Southampton's life was spared, possibly because Oxford had influence with his dead wife's brother.

I've read Elizabeth was convinced Christopher Marlowe wrote Richard II. Does that make her the 1st Marlovian?

Don't forget some 200 source texts, many of which were never translated into English. How much time would it take to read them all?

Hamlet is thought to be based on Beowolf, but the only copy was in Lord Burghley's household - The Nowell Codex. Nowell was (drumroll) Edward de Vere's tutor.

Helio, there's a letter saved to Shaksper asking for a loan.

I agree that the author was no idle rich dillettante. Vere was extremely well-educated, a top courtier, took firsts in tournaments, enlisted with the Earl of Sussex for the Scottish campaign, exposed a plot, sat on legal commitees and juries (most notably those of Mary, Essex and Southampton), was known as a prolific poet (described by William Webbe as most excellent among court poets) and excellent musician...

Idle? Hardly.

Did I mention the Armada?

Richard II had previously been censored because of the scene where the ruler is deposed. It was usually performed sans the abdication scene.

They did plead they did it for the money - an extra forty shillings.

The same subject was covered in 1599 by Sir John Hayward. The book was dedicated to Essex. She thought Essex was the true author.
and wanted Hayward tortured to determine the truth. Hayward was imprisoned for life - hers.

"I am Richard II, know ye not that?" spake Elizabeth.

"Some time between 1599 and 1602 the Queen's Lord Chamberlain, Lord Hunsdon, appears to have leased property for the establishing of an especially' notorious brothel in Paris Gardens, while Thomas Nashe declared in 1598 that 'whoredom (the next doore to the Magistrates)' was set up and maintained through bribery, and Gamini Salgado informs us that 'Most theatre owners... were brothel owners too'.'"- Jonathan Dollimore, Transgression and surveillance in Measure for Measure

If playhouses were dens of gambling, usury, and prostitution, why wouldn't one of 7 people on a Globe lease be involved in money-lending? We know of a restraining order against him by a theatre owner, including a woman of ill-repute named in the complaint. We know WS of stratford was such a money-lender. Why no conjecture on him being a pimp and moneylender, when proof exists which leads one in that sordid direction? AND WHY NO POEMS ABOUT DEAD HAMNET? what a thoughless father!!!!

Not only was he named in the writ he was named first. The practice was to name the chief culprit first which strongly suggests he was Langley's "enforcer". Langley took out the first writ. "Be it known that Francis Langley craves sureties of the peace against William Gardiner and William Wayte for fear of death, and so forth." Langley was charged with extortion and violence in Star Chamber and was involved with a stolen diamond.

"Gentle master William", huh? (Gentle meant "highborn", BTW.)

It's certain Shaksper made a great deal of money in a short time but the going rate for a play was £5-£10. Supposedly he "supplied" two plays a year. Hm.

An actor had to learn a part, rehearse and perform all in the same day, then do it again for a new play the next day. Light was smoky candles. The hard work of writing would have to have been done in the evening with time left over for trips to the Mermaid Tavern.

There's conjecture in David Roper's book, but he's a "looney".