Viewing Event Record: Star Chamber, Clifton v Robinson et al: Clifton states his case

Abstract

In a Star Chamber suit between Henry Clifton and Henry Evans, Nathaniel Giles and James Robinson, Clifton accuses the defendants of having 'vnduly & vniustly taken diuers & seuerall children' from schools and apprenticeships, including his son Thomas, Nathan Field, and several other boys, to 'acte & furnish' plays and interludes at the Blackfriars playhouse. He accuses Giles of misusing the 'letters patents.' On 13 December 1600, Clifton claims, the accused men waylaid Thomas with 'greate force & vyolence' as the boy was on his way to school. When Clifton went to the playhouse to recover his son, the three refused to release Thomas; rather, they gave the boy a part to learn, and committed him to Evans' custody, threatening that he 'should be surely whipped' if he failed to obey. The boy remained at the theatre for a day and a half, until 'sett at lyberty and freed' by the warrant of Sir John Fortescue, a privy councillor.

Date Event Recorded

Date

From: 15 December 1601 (Source of claim: transcription)

Date Event Happened

Date

From: 13 December 1600 To: 14 December 1600 (Source of claim: transcription)

Venues

Name

Blackfriars (II)

Troupes

Name

Children of the Chapel (III)

People