Prince Henry's Men

NOTE: The roles listed for any given actor do not necessarily coincide with roles that actor played while associated with this company. The listed roles reflect the complete extant corpus of that actor's career. Neither does the list necessarily suggest a chronology of performance. Though the listings are accurate, the scholar is nevertheless cautioned to research further.

See Gurr, Andrew The Shakespearian Playing Companies, Oxford UP, 1996.

Listed alphabetically

Alleyn, Edward
(1566-1626) (Allen). Actor (Worcester's 1583, Admiral's/Prince Henry's 1589-1606), entrepreneur. (Brother of John Alleyn; step son-in-law of Philip Henslowe) [ES ii, 296 [full citation] ; Greg_Dramatic_Documents i, 51 (1931) [full citation] ; JCS ii, 346 [full citation] ; Nungezer, 4 [full citation] ; McMillin, 'Jonson's Early Entertainments', 160 (1968) [full citation] ; Ingram, 'Globe Playhouse', 67 (1984) [full citation] ; Cerasano, 'Edward Alleyn's Early Years' (1987) [full citation] ; Eccles, 'Edward Alleyn' (1990) [full citation] ; McMillin, 'Sussex's Men' (1991) [full citation] ; Wills, 150 (1993) [full citation] ; Cerasano, 'Tamburlaine' (1994) [full citation] ]

Tamburlaine, 1 & 2 TAMBURLAINE; ?King Edgar, A KNACK TO KNOW A KNAVE; Barabas, JEW OF MALTA; Orlando, ORLANDO FURIOSO; Faustus, DR. FAUSTUS; Sebastian, FREDERICK AND BASILEA; Muly Mahamet, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Tamar Cam, 1 TAMAR CAM; he is often heralded as the greatest actor of his time.

Bird, William
(d.1624; fl. 1597-1624) (alias Borne) (Birde). Actor (Pembroke's 1597; Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1598-1621), playwright. (Husband of Mary Bird; father of Theophilus Bird) [ES ii, 303; iii, 236 [full citation]; Bentley, 'Shakespeare's Fellows' (1928) [full citation]; Nungezer, 48 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 52 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 379 [full citation]; Bergeron, 'Actors', 22 (1972) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Players' Wills', 299 (1985) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors I', 40 (1991) [full citation]; Wills, 131 (1993) [full citation]]

actor, ISLE OF DOGS; Colmogra, Artabisus, 1 TAMAR CAM;

Cartwright, William (I)
(fl. 1598-1636—a William Cartwright was buried at St. Giles's, Cripplegate in 1650). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1598-1624; King and Queen of Bohemia's; Red Bull-King's; King's Revels; Queen Henrietta's 1635). (Father of William Cartwright (II)) [ES ii, 310 [full citation]; Nungezer, 86 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 53 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 402 [full citation]; Haaker, 'Plague', 297 (1968) [full citation]]

actor, FORTUNE'S TENNIS; Moor, Pisano, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Nobleman, Attendant, Hostage, Captain, and Bohar, 1 TAMAR CAM; Claudius, MESSALLINA;

Colborne, Edward
(fl. 1610-25) (Colbrand, Coborne, Coborn). Actor (Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1610-13). [ES ii, 310 [full citation]; Nungezer, 96 [full citation]; JCS ii, 408 [full citation]]

Downton, Thomas (I)
(d.1625). Actor (?Strange's, Pembroke's, Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1592-1618). (Father of Thomas Downton (II)) [ES ii, 313 [full citation]; Bentley, 'Shakespeare's Fellows' (1928) [full citation]; Nungezer, 117 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 54 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 426 [full citation]; Bowers, 'Shoemaker's Holiday' (1949) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors I' (1991) [full citation]; Wills, 146 (1993) [full citation]]

?actor, ISLE OF DOGS; Abdolmelec, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Tartar, Mango Cham, 1 TAMAR CHAM;

[?]Frith, Mary
(circa1575?-circa1645?) (alias Markham, alias Moll Cutpurse). Actress(?). [ES ii, 318 [full citation]; Nungezer, 146 [full citation]; Bentley, 'Early Plays in English', 148 (1976) [full citation]; Mulholland, 'The Roaring Girl' (1977) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Mary Frith' (1985) [full citation]]

Grace, Francis
(d.1624). Actor (Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1610-24), sharer. (Brother of Richard Grace) [ES ii, 319 [full citation]; Nungezer, 158 [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Business', 245 (1985) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Players' Wills', 301 (1985) [full citation]; Wills, 130 (1993) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Henslowe/Forman', 155 (1993). [full citation]

Gunnell, Richard
(circa1585?-1634). Actor (Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1613-25), manager, sharer (new Fortune), playwright, builder of Salisbury Court playhouse. (Husband of Elizabeth Gunnell Robinson) [ES ii, 320 [full citation]; Nungezer, 168 [full citation]; JCS ii, 454; iv, 516 [full citation]; Haaker, 'Plague', 285-7 (1968) [full citation]; Bentley, 'Salisbury Court Theater' (1977) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors II', 457 (1991) [full citation]; Wills, 233 (1993) [full citation]]

Hunt, Thomas
(fl. 1596-1611) (Honte). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's 1599-1602; Lady Elizabeth's 1611; Palsgrave's 1621?). [ES ii, 324 [full citation]; Nungezer, 201 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 55 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 481 [full citation]; McMillin, 'Jonson's Early Entertainments', 161 (1968) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors II', 459 (1992) [full citation]]

Servant, Guard, Lord, Messenger, Jailor, FREDERICK AND BASILEA; Moor, Attendant, Ambassador, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; actor, TROILUS AND CRESSIDA;

Jeffes, Anthony
(1578(baptized 14 December, St. Saviour's, Southwark)—(?married Faith Jones 19 February 1601)—(described as "player" in St. Giles's register on 11 June 1602 and 1 May 1609; received Ł70 c. 1612 for his interest in the former Prince Henry's Company; described as a "brewer" in St. Giles's register on 30 May 1610 and 30 October 1619)—d. 1648). Actor (Germany 1592-96; ?Chamberlain's; ?Pembroke's; Admiral's-Prince Henry's 1597-1612). (Brother of Humphrey Jeffes) [ES ii, 324 [full citation]; Nungezer, 203 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 56 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 482 [full citation]; Schrickx, 'English Actors', 157ff. (1980) [full citation]; Schrickx, 'German Archives', 151 (1982) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Anthony Jeffes' (1984) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors II', 460 (1992) [full citation]]

Young Mahamet, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Linus & a Moor, 1 TAMAR CAM;

Jeffes, Humphrey
(1576-buried 21 August 1618, St. Giles's, Cripplegate). Actor (?Chamberlain's; ?Pembroke's; Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1598-1616). (Brother of Anthony Jeffes) [ES ii, 324 [full citation]; Bentley, 'Shakespeare's Fellows' (1928) [full citation]; JCS ii, 483 [full citation]; Nungezer, 204 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 56 (1931) [full citation]; Schrickx, 'English Actors', 157ff. (1980) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Anthony Jeffes', 222n12 (1984) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors II', 460 (1992) [full citation]]

actor, SIX YEOMAN OF THE WEST (lost); Muly Mahamet Xeque, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Otanes, 1 TAMAR CAM; "Humphrey" the serving man, LOOK ABOUT YOU; ?Humfrey with crossbow, 3 HENRY VI

Juby, Edward
(d.1618) (Jeube, Jewbe, Jewbey, Jewby, Jewebey, Jube, Jubey, Jubie, Jubye). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1594-1618), sharer. [ES ii, 325 [full citation]; Bentley, 'Shakespeare's Fellows' (1928) [full citation]; Nungezer, 213 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 58 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 490 [full citation]; Bowers, 'Shoemaker's Holiday' (1949) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors II', 461 (1991) [full citation]; Wills, 113 (1993) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Women as Theatrical Investors', 89 (1998) [full citation]]

King, FREDERICK AND BASILEA; Calcipius Bassa, Avero, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Pitho & a Moor, 1 TAMAR CAM;

Massey, Charles
(circa1575?-1625) (Marcy, Massie, Massy, Mercy). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1597-1625), playwright, sharer. [ES ii, 330; iii, 435 [full citation]; Nungezer, 247 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 59 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 507; iv, 749 [full citation]; Bowers, 'Shoemaker's Holiday' (1949) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors III', 298 (1992) [full citation]].

Tamar, FREDERICK AND BASILEA; Zareo, Barcelis, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Artaxes, Attendatn, Nobleman, 1 TAMAR CAM; actor, FORTUNE'S TENNIS;

Parr, William (II)
(1581?-1620<). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1602-20). [ES ii, 331 [full citation]; Nungezer, 265 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 60 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 520 [full citation]; Wentersdorf, 'Origin and Personnel', 64 (1979) [full citation]]

Nobleman, Scout, Attendant, Trumpet, Guard, a Bohar, 1 TAMAR CAM;

Pavy, William
(d.1608, buried 8 September, St. Bartolph, Aldgate) (Pavye). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's 1597-1608). [ES ii, 332 [full citation]; Denkinger, 'St. Botolph Aldgate', 103 (1926) [full citation]; Nungezer, 268 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 60 (1931) [full citation]; Wills, 229 (1993) [full citation]]

?Bonafice, FORTUNE'S TENNIS;

Price, Richard
(d.1627) (Pryore?). Actor (Admiral's-Henry's-Palsgrave's 1603-24; King and Queen of Bohemia's?). [ES ii, 335 [full citation]; Nungezer, 287-88 [full citation]; JCS ii, 535 [full citation]; Bowers, 'Shoemaker's Holiday' (1949) [full citation]]

Scott, SHOEMAKER'S HOLIDAY (Greg discredits this attribution as "an obvious forgery")

Rose
(fl. 1612). Actor(?) (Prince Henry's 1612). [ES ii, 337 [full citation]; Nungezer, 304 [full citation]]

Rowley, Samuel
(d.1624). Actor (Admiral's-Henry's-Palsgrave's 1597-1613), playwright. (Brother of Thomas Rowley and William Rowley) [ES ii, 337; iii, 472 [full citation]; Nungezer, 305 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 61 (1931) [full citation]; JCS ii, 555; v, 1009 [full citation]; Somerset, 'Samuel Rowley' (1966) [full citation]; Eccles, Authors, 116 (1982) [full citation]; Wills, 138 (1993) [full citation]]

Heraclius, FREDERICK AND BASILEA; Ambassador, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Ascalon, Crymm, 1 TAMAR CAM; actor, FORTUNE'S TENNIS;

Shanbrooke, John
(d.1618, buried 17 September, St. Giles's, Cripplegate) (Shamrock). Actor (Prince Henry's 1612). [ES ii, 338 [full citation]; Nungezer, 316 [full citation]; JCS ii, 561 [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors IV', 167 (1993) [full citation]]

Shank, John (I)
(circa1580?—1636, buried 27 January, St. Giles's, Cripplegate) (Schanks, Shanck, Schancke, Shanckes, Shancks, Shanke, Shankes, Shanks, Shanucke). Actor (Pembroke's?; Queen's?; Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1610-13; King's 1619-31), sharer, writer. (Father of John Shank (II)) [ES ii, 338 [full citation]; Nungezer, 316 [full citation]; JCS ii, 562; v, 1049 [full citation]; George, 'Pre-1642 Cast Lists' (1977) [full citation]; Bentley, Profession of Player (1984), 113n1 [full citation]; Wills, 186 (1993) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors IV', 167 (1993) [full citation]]

actor, PROPHETESS; LOVER'S MELANCHOLY; Petella, WILD GOOSE CHASE (1631 revival); according to Wright Historica Histrionica he played Sir Roger in SCORNFUL LADY;

Stratford, William
(d.1625). Actor (Prince Henry's-Palsgrave's 1610-24). [ES ii, 341 [full citation]; Nungezer, 339 [full citation]; JCS ii, 579 [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors IV', 172 (1993) [full citation]]

Towne, Thomas
(d.1612). Actor (Admiral's-Prince Henry's 1594-1610). [ES ii, 347 [full citation]; Nungezer, 377 [full citation]; Greg, Dramatic Documents i, 65 (1931) [full citation]; Wills 88 (1993) [full citation]; Eccles, 'Actors IV', 174 (1993) [full citation]; Cerasano, 'Henslowe/Forman', 155 (1993) [full citation]]

Myron-hamec, FREDERICK AND BASILEA; Stukeley, BATTLE OF ALCAZAR; Shah, Tartar, 1 TAMAR CAM; Sweeper, 1 HONEST WHORE;