Folios 149-161. From (1) (4) (7) Duke of Newcastle, as Lord Chamberlain. (5) Tho...

Folios 149-161. From (1) (4) (7) Duke of Newcastle, as Lord Chamberlain. (5) Tho [Thomas] Pengelly and Jo [John] Cheshire. (8) T Pemberton. (9) Thos Pengelley.. To (1) [Nicholas] Lechmere. (9) Duke [of Newcastle]. Place: (1) Hampton Court [Surrey] (4) (5) (6) St James's [London, Middlesex]. (9) Serjts [Serjeants'] Inn [London, Middlesex].

Papers relating to the patent of Sir Richard Steele, Robert Wilks, Colley Cibber, Thomas Dogget [Doggett], and Barton Booth, to run a company of actors at the Playhouse in Drury Lane [London, Middlesex], and his claim to be exempt from the orders of the Lord Chamberlain. (1) Copy of a letter from the Duke of Newcastle to the Attorney-General, requesting legal opinion, dated on 18 October 1714. (2) Queries relating to Sir Richard's patent to run the Theatre [Royal] Drury Lane, as above, for which opinion is sought. (3) Copy of further queries. (4) Copy of an order revoking the licence to run the Company of Comedians at Drury Lane. (5) The opinion of the serjeants [at law] in relation to the patent of Sir Richard Steele, advising that the King had the power to issue a patent in new terms, in French. (6) A revocation of the patent for the management of a company of actors, in French. (7) Lord Chamberlain's warrant, referring to letters of revocation dated on 25 January 1719, nullifying Sir Richard's patent. (8) Opinion concerning the legality of plays, and of possible restrictions on them. (9) Copy of a letter, enclosing a draft of an order for 'silencing the players at Drury Lane', to be served 25 January 1719, suggesting new orders be drafted.