King's Men
The English royal acting company that performed Shakespeare's plays at court and at the Globe and Blackfriars theatres.
Lord Chamberlain's Men: An English acting company formed in 1594 under the patronage of Lord Chamberlain Henry Carey. The King's Men were this company before James I granted them royal patronage in 1603.
Richard Burbage: An English actor and theatrical entrepreneur, renowned for originating leading Shakespearean roles. As the company's leading tragedian, he played Hamlet, Othello, and King Lear.
Globe Theatre: An open-air playhouse in London associated with Shakespeare's company and built in 1599. The King's Men performed many of their public plays at this principal playhouse.
Shakespeare's First Folio: The 1623 collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, published by John Heminges and Henry Condell. The volume preserved plays from the company's repertory, including works otherwise lost.
James I: King of England and Scotland from 1603 to 1625, and patron of Shakespeare's acting company. His accession renamed and elevated the Lord Chamberlain's Men as the King's Men.
John Heminges: An English actor and theatrical manager who helped publish Shakespeare's First Folio. He managed the company and preserved its repertory through the First Folio.
Blackfriars Theatre: An indoor London playhouse used by Shakespeare's company from 1609. The King's Men used its roofed, smaller auditorium for winter performances.
The Tempest: A Shakespearean romance about a storm, a shipwreck, and Prospero's rule over an island. The King's Men first performed this play at court in 1611.
Royal patent of 1603: A royal license authorizing Shakespeare's company to perform under James I's direct patronage. The patent formalized the company's new status and right to perform at court.
Henry Condell: An English actor and theatrical shareholder who helped publish Shakespeare's First Folio. His company partnership with Heminges safeguarded many plays performed by the King's Men.