Event Comment: On this date, James Vernon, writing to Sir Joseph Williamson, reported: Senior Scaramouchio and his band have begged his Majesty's leave to returne, theire affaires requiring their presence att home (Letters to Sir Joseph Williamson at Cologne, Camden Society, I, 179)

Event Comment: It is possible that The Tempest had been acted regularly to this date and that it continued to be presented frequently in the following week. In L. C. 5@15, p. 3 (Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 356) there is an order directing Turner and Hart (and any other members of the His Majesty's Chapel Royal) who sing in The Tempest to remain in London during the week, going to Windsor (when the King was absent from Whitehall) on Saturdays and returning on Mondays

Event Comment: Andrew Marvell to William Popple, 24 July. Scaramuccio acting dayly in the Hall at Whitehall, and all Sorts of People flocking thither, and paying their Money as at a common Playhouse; nay even a twelve-penny Gallery is builded for the convenience of his Majesty's poorer Subjects (Marvell's Works, ed. H. M. Margoliouth, [Oxford, 1927], II, 320). For a warrant to Nicholas Staggins for writing "a chaccon" for "Scaramoucha" see Boswell, Restoration Court Stage, p. 122

Event Comment: See 22 May 1677. John Verney to Edmund Verney, 31 May 1677: On Wednesday his Majesty's birth night was some gallantry at Whitehall, where was acted a French opera, but most pitifully done, so ill that the King was aweary on't, and some say it was not well contrived to entertain the English gentry, who came that night in honour to their King, with a lamentable ill-acted French play, when our English actors so much surpass; however, the dances and voices were pretty well performed (HMC, 7th Report, Appendix, Part I, 1879, p. 468)

Event Comment: On this date, L. C. 5@16, p. 101 (Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 10n) Nathaniel Lee's The Duke of Guise was banned. John Drummond to Marquis and Duke of Queensberry, 16 July 1682: Ther is a play hear to be acted that maks a great business, for the Duke of Munmuth has complained of it, and they say that notwithstanding it is to be acted sometime nixt weik. They call it the Duke of Guise, but in the play the true story is cheinged to the plott time hear (HMC, Buccleuch-Queensberry MSS., 1903, II 108). Newsletter, 29 July 1682: A play by Mr Dryden, termed the Duke of Guise, wherein the Duke of Monmouth was vilified and great interest being make for the acting thereof, but coming to His Majesty's knowledge is forbid, for though His Majesty be displeased with the Duke yet he will not suffer others to abuse him (HMC, 15th Report, Part VII, 1898, p. 108). Newdigate newsletters, 29 July 1682: A play having been made [by] Mr Dryden termed ye Duke of Guise supposed to Levell att the villifying the Duke of Monmouth & many other protestants & great Interest made for the Acting thereof but bringing to the knowledge of his Matie the same was forbidd for though his Maties pleasure is to be dissatisfyed and angry with the Duke of Monmouth, yet hee is not willing that others should abuse him out of a naturall affection for him (Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 81)

Event Comment: A Second Musical Entertainment Perform'd on St. Cecilia's day, November XXII. 1684. The Words by the late ingenious Mr John Oldham, Author of the Satyrs Against the Jesuits. Set to Music in two, three, four, and five Parts, by Dr John Blow, Master of the Children, and Organist of His Majesty's Chappel-Royal. [This work was published in 1685.

Event Comment: Gentleman's Journal, November 1693: An Ode upon His Majesty's Birth-day, Set to Musick by Dr Staggins; and Perform'd before Their Majesties, Nov. 4. 1693. The Words by N. Tate, Servant to Their Majesties. [The Ode was published separately as a broadside in 1693. A song, Gallic force, in vain, set by Staggins and sung to the King on his birthday, is in Comes Amoris, The Fifth Book, 1694.

Event Comment: Post Boy, 2-4 Feb. 1696@7: On Monday the King visited the Princess of Denmark and invited her to Whitehall on Saturday next, it being her Royal Highnesses Birth Day, and his Majesty has been pleased to give the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlaine Orders to have the Play called Love for Love, written by Mr Congreve, Acted there the better to Celebrate the Day. Post Boy, 6-9 Feb. 1696@7: Last Saturday being the Anniversary of her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark's birth...at night the King was pleased to Entertain her with a fine Comedy, call'd Love for Love, Written by Mr Congreve, Acted by his Majesty's servants at Whitehall, where the Court appeared very gay and splendid, suitable to the occasion. [Somewhat similar references appear also in Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 180, and The Flying Post, 6-9 Feb. 1696@7.

Event Comment: London Gazette, No. 3272, 18-22 March 1696@7: On Wednesday next, being the 24th Instant, at the Request of several Persons of Quality, will be a Consort of Musick at York-Buildings, which was performed at St James's on His Majesty's Birth Day, Composed by Dr Staggins, beginning at 7 in the evening

Event Comment: By Subscription. With a new Prologue and Epilogue. Admission as 14 Dec. 1703. [A Folger Library broadside appears to be a program for this concert. It lists in Act I The Druid's Song from Bonduca, two songs by Mrs Tofts, a song from The Fairy Queen, and a dance; in Act II The Frost Music from King Arthur, two dances, and a song by Mrs Tofts; in Act III an Ode on the Glorious Beginning of Her Majesty's Reign, set by Daniel Purcell and performed by Leveridge, Hughes, Mrs Lindsey, and Mrs Campion; a song by Mrs Tofts, The Sacrifice from King Arthur, and a Grand Dance.

Event Comment: For theEntertainment of his Excellency the Duke d'Aumont, Ambassador extraordinary from the Court of France. By Her Majesty's Command, no Persons are to be admitted behind the Scenes, nor any Money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. As 25 Nov

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. With all the proper Decorations as Originally. Pit and Boxes together by Tickets at 8s. Stage Boxes half a guinea. Gallery 2s. 6d. At 5:30 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit Signora Pilotti. By His Majesty's Command. Pit and Boxes together by tickets only at half a guinea. Stage Boxes 15s. Gallery 4s. Tickets for Ernelinda taken. At 6 p.m

Event Comment: By His Majesty's Command. Admission as 15 Dec. 1716