96 CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL AT BLACKFRIARS 
This authoritative record associated with the rest of the present 
history has significance. Those familiar with the voluminous 
letters of Dudley Carleton are aware that an unusual event at 
Court or concerning the Queen receives some dilation, whiie the 
customary or ordinary doings or mere news items, if mentioned 
at all, are passed with a sentence or two, as in the present five- 
page document, making his Ictters almost as gossipy and discon- 
nected as the local column of an American country-newspaper. 
When one examines this record from every possible stand- 
point, the conclusion becomes irresistible that the Queen at least 
occasionally attended the Blackfriars. Also, as this was only one 
in a series of such attendance, there is no reason to suppose it the 
last. 
This conclusion harmonizes with items in other documents 
touching the conduct of the theatre, and insofar as it involves 
her attitude toward the Blackfriars, not only is supported by cir- 
cumstances and declaration, but also itself adds support and clear- 
ness to others. Among other things, it becomes evident why the 
Blackfriars Children were not more than one season at Court,? 
although they were Elizabeth’s own company, and enjoyed the 
most fashionable and aristocratic patronage of London.’ It be- 
comes clear also from this particular occasion of attendance after 
the filing of Clifton’s Complaint,‘—just a fortnight after—that 
she was steadfast in her support of Blackfriars, and was willing 
in the face of opposition to proclaim by her presence her purpose 
of continued support. Numerous other occurrences and condi- 
tions also grow clearer. 
—But an analysis here would merely anticipate conclusions 
that come of themselves through examining other documents. 
So we may pass this record for the present, with noting the at- 
tendance also of the ladies of the Court and hazarding the sup- 
position that the Lord Chamberlain, J.ord Hunsdon, with whom 
*T find that A.-W. Ward, His- 
tory of English Dramatic Litera- 
ture (18997), I, 445°, notes the 
existence of this record, with a ref- 
erence to, the Calendar of Stale Pa- 
pers (u. s.). But he gives no hint 
of its connection or significance, be- 
yond the mere fact contained in 
the document itself that the Queen 
attended the Blackfriars theatre. 
Infra, 112, 115', 121-22", 157%. 
Infra, 112, 124, 128, 164-66, 176- 
(ere 
‘Supra, 84‘, 87. 
°Infra, 159-61. 
210 
> 
ee ee | 
