Transcription of letter from Henry Herbert

Whereas seuerall complaints haue been made against

you to the Kings most excellent Maiesty by Mr. Killegrew and Sir

William Dauenant concerning the vnusuall and vnresonable rates

taken at your play house doores of the Respectiue Persons of quality

that desire to refresh and Im proue them selues by the sight

of your Morrall Entertainments which were Constituted for

profitt and delight And the said Complaints made vse of

by the said Mr. Killegrew and Sir William Dauenant as

part of theire Suggestions for theire pretended power and

for your Late Restrainte./

And Whereas Complaints haue been made thereof formerly to me

wherewith you were acquainted as Innouations and Exactions not

allowed by mee; And that the like Complaints are now made that you

doe practice the said Exactions in takeing of Excessiue & vnaccustomed

rates vppon the Restitution of you to your Liberty./

These are therefore in his Maiesties name to require you and Euery of you

to take from the persons of qualitie and others as dayly frequent your

Play=house; such vsuall and accustomed rates only as were formerly

taken at the Black=fryers, by the Late Company of Actors there &

noe more, nor otherwise for every New or Old Play that shall be

allowed you by the Master of the Revells to be Acted in the

said Playhouse or any other playhouse; And you are thereby further

  required to bringe or sende to me All such old Plaies As you doe Intende

to Act ^{^at the said play house,^} that these may be reformed of Prophanes & Ribaldes ^{^at the [Revell?]^} [giuen]

at the office of the Revells      Henry Herbert

To mr. Michaell Mohan

and the rest of the Actors

of the Cockpitt play house

in Drury Lane

the 13^th of October 1660

endorsement on verso:

[Copy of] warant sent to

the Actors at the Cockpit In

Drury lane by Tom Browne

the 13. Oct. 60.

^{Folger Shakespeare Library   MS X.c.96.}

^{Transcription by Folger staff.}

^{See image in Luna.}