LordChamberlainsMen5

In 1559, Elizabeth I issued a proclamation calling for all players to be licensed. The earlier informal troupes of travelling players were replaced by new touring companies with patrons from among the Queen’s leading courtiers. Among these newly reorganised companies was the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. The Lord Chamberlain’s Men was originally formed under Ferdinando Stanley, the Lord Strange, as a theatrical company to put on plays for various audiences. But when Ferdinando died in 1594, the players had to find a new patron to fund their plays. Luckily Henry Carey, the Lord Chamberlain, was an avid fan of the company. With The Lord Chamberlain at their side and Richard Burbage and William Shakespeare leading them they were on a strait path to success. When theatres all throughout London closed due to the plague, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men were stuck with nothing to do. But when the theatres reopened, Shakespeare had joined the company making a great addition. He worked as an actor, as well as a playwrite, writing two plays a year for the players. He also invested money into the company allowing them to pay for costumes, playbooks and wages of actors. The company performed at the Theatre and the Curtain in 1599 presenting shows and plays. This went on until they moved to the newly built Globe Theatre. By 1600 they had emerged as the leading theatrical company in London. From there, in 1603, King James became the patron of Lord Chambnerlains men (now known as the Kings men) After Queen Elizbeth died and he became king. Lord Chamberlain’s Men were asked to perform at court at least thirteen times a year. But sadly everything had to come to an end when in 1642 The Lord Chamberlain’s Men ceased to exist when the outbreak of the Civil War closed the playhouses.
 * __The Lord Chamberlain’s Men __**