54 CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL AT BLACKFRIARS. 
was simply trying to substantiate its long-contended claim,* and 
in doing it, assumed evidence that did not exist.? 
It may be noted in this connection that, beginning with 1597 — 
and extending to the close of Elizabeth’s reign, the Privy Coun- 
cil directed numerous severe orders agaiist the public theatres, 
but not one against Blackfriars. These cases will be considered — 
in a subsequent chapter.* The reasons for this attitude become 
clear when we know the Queen’s relations to Blackfriars, and the 
City’s contention.* 
Whether James Burbage intended the Blackfriars building thus 
altered to replace “The Theatre,” the lease to the grounds of 
which was just expiring in 1596, or whether a “theatrum anglice 
Stage” was set up in it for the Children of the Chapel on the 
Queen’s initiative, as the Diary of the Duke of Stettin might 
seem to indicate,° will be taken up in later paragraphs.® 
1See supra, 21, 161°, and infra, ‘Infra, 126-29, 148-62. 
153-54. 5Infra, 106-7. 
*See infra, 154°, 161’. *Infra, 112, 128°-29, 151, 152. 
°Infra, 148-62. 
168 
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