Henry Evans sues Edward Kirkham in Chancery court in reaction to several suits launched against him by Kirkham. Evans' testimony provides details of the Blackfriars lease and property. On 2 September 1600, Evans leased the 'great Hall or Roome w[i]th the roomes over the same scituate and beinge w[i]thin the precynct of the black ffryars in London' from Richard Burbage. Evans then sublet the premises – with the exception of one or two rooms held back for himself – to Edward Kirkham, William Rastell, and Thomas Kendall, for a bond of 200l. Shortly after that, Evans left for the country. During his absence, Evans claims, Kirkham and his partners effected around 300l worth of damage to the property. Kirkham has recently launched a series of suits against Evans, claiming the landlord had barred him and his associates from entering certain parts of the premises – the 'scholehouse and chamber over the same' – and therefore violated the terms of their lease. Evans explains that these were his quarters, and therefore 'it was not fitt and convenient that the dores of the same rooms should alwaies be vnlocked and left open.' He claims that nonetheless the doors were always opened for Kirkham and his company upon request. Evans requests that Kirkham be subpoenaed and made to answer to Chancery to resolve the dispute.
| Name | Event Role(s) | Document Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Egerton, Thomas | Lord Chancellor | |
| Tudor, Elizabeth | Queen (late) | |
| Hawkins, Alexander | company manager | |
| Muskett, Sy: | court recorder | |
| Kirkham, Edward | defendant | |
| Kendall, Thomas | leaseholder | |
| Rastell, William | leaseholder | |
| Evans, Henry | plaintiff | |
| Burbage, Richard | playhouse owner |