This title provides an historical biography of the multi-faceted and controversial Sir John Harington of Kelston, courtier, place-seeker, writer and would-be Bishop of Dublin, who lived in times euphemistically described by contemporaries as 'tricky'.

John Field, an ordained minister in the Established Church during the sixteenth century described playhouses as 'schools of wickedness' and 'sinks of sin'. Little did he know that, after his death, his son Nathan (Nat) Field would become one of Britain's most celebrated players and playwrights. Impressed under royal warrant to become a member of the Children of the Chapel Royal, Nat progressed to star in plays such as Epicene, Bartholomew Fair and Bussy d'Ambois. He later became an adult member of the King's Men, wrote two highly successful plays of his own and collaborated with writers such...

Edward Alleyn was a man of many talents and great energy. He was the actor who created the roles of Tamburlaine, Dr Faustus, and Barabas, the Jew of Malta, in Christopher Marlowe's plays and played in comedies, histories and tragedies by the leading authors of his day. In one week in August 1594, he took the leading part in six different plays. His acting was praised by Queen Elizabeth I herself. From an early age he was determined to make money and became successful in doing so as an impresario managing entertainments including bear and bull baiting and as a dealer in property. He made a...