1601

Open rebellion

Jo Stone-Fewings and Robert Whitelock
in Richard IIFebruary: The Earl of Essex, a former royal favorite disaffected by Elizabeth's rule and by his perceived humiliation at her hands, leads a badly planned, disastrously inept coup. He is tried quickly and executed on February 25th.

Augustine Philips, a member of Shakespeare's company who were called upon to perform "Richard II," with its deposition scene intact, as a precipitous act of the rebellion, is sent to defend the company's actions.

His explanation (along the lines of "we only did it for the money, honest,") satisfies the authorities.

Jo Stone-Fewings and Robert Whitelock
in Richard II, close up of crownSoon afterward Elizabeth will make Shakespeare and his company perform the play before her, probably just to remind them upon whose pleasure their lives depend.