Margaret Brayne sues James and Cuthbert Burbage in Chancery court over her share of the Theatre playhouse profits. John Hyde deposes 12 February 1592. His testimony provides evidence of the financial transactions between the Theatre owners, and of events following John Brayne's death. Hyde affirms that Burbage and Brayne mortgaged the Theatre and related property to him for £125, and that they forfeited it to him for many years, though he did not take possession of the property. Hyde does not remember Margaret Brayne having offered to pay him the remainder of the money owed to him in exchange for the lease, but notes that he would have preferred to make the lease over to her than to the Burbages. He does not remember that she promised to allow Burbage a moiety. Burbage came to him on several occasions and requested that, once the debt was repaid, the property should be conveyed to Cuthbert Burbage. Hyde was loath do this, but capitulated under the combined pressure of Burbage's demands and a letter from Cuthbert's master, Walter Cope. He remembers asking the Burbages to do Margaret Brayne no wrong. The Burbages promised that she would have her due share in the profits.
| Name | Event Role(s) | Document Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Burbage, James | defendant | |
| Burbage, Cuthbert | defendant | |
| Hyde, John | deponent | grocer, mortgage holder |
| Cope, Walter | lord treasurer's gentleman | |
| Brayne, Margaret | plaintiff | |
| Brayne, John | playhouse financier |