Event Comment: The
United Company. As 9 Nov. 1692 is known to be the second day, it is assumed that 8 Nov. 1692 represents the first performance. (See entry for 9 Nov. 1692.) The authorship is uncertain;
William Mountfort signed tne Dedication, but its authorship is linked with that of
Edward III (November 1690), which may have been by
Bancroft.
Gentleman's Journal, October 1692 (not issued until November):
Henry the Second, King of England, A new Play, by the Author of that call'd
Edward the Third, which gave such universal satisfaction, hath been acted several times with applause. It is a Tragedy with a mixture of Comedy....Had you seen it acted, you would own that an Evening is pass'd very agreeably, when at a Representation of that pleasing Piece. [
Alfred Harbage,
Elizabethan-Restoration Palimpsest,
Modern Language Review, XXXV (1940), 312-18, argues that this play is the
Elizabethan Henry II once in the possession of
Moseley. A song,
In vain 'gainst Love I strove, composed by
Henry Purcell and sung by
Mrs Dyer, not in the printed play, is in
Comes Amoris, 1693, and
Joyful Cuckoldom 1695. See
Purcell's Works,
Purcell Society, XX (1916), vii
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Henry The Second, King Of England; With The Death Of Rosamond
Performance Comment: Edition of 1693: Prologue-; Epilogue by Mr Dryden-Mrs Bracegirdle; King Henry the Second-Betterton; Prince Henry-Mich. Lee; Sir Tho. Vaughan-Ant. Leigh; Abbot-Sandford; Verulam-Kynaston; Sussex-Hodgson; Aumerle-Bridges; Bertrard-Dogget; Queen Eleanor-Mrs Barry; Rosamond-Mrs Bracegirdle; Rosamond's Woman-Mrs Kent.Related Works
Related Work: Alfred the Great, King of England Author(s): James Thomson