A passage in Edmund Howe's 1615 edition of John Stow's 'Annals' narrates that that the Queen's Men were formed in 1583 with twelve players chosen by Francis Walsingham, including Thomas Wilson 'for a quicke delicate refined extemporall witte, and Richard Tarelton for a wondrous plentiful pleasant extemporall wit.' The players 'are allowed wages, and liveries, as groomes of the chamber.' A marginal note reports that Tarlton's face was often used for signs.
| Name | Event Role(s) | Document Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Walsingham, Francis | councillor | |
| Tarlton, Richard | player | |
| Wilson, Robert | player |