SUMMARY OF EVIDENCES 127 
We have seen Gyles’s authority——the Commission for taking 
up children,—and we know how he was allowed to interpret and 
exercise the powers granted.” He was not only unhampered by 
the Court of Star Chamber,’ but during a period of nearly six 
years he carried out the Queen’s will and had her favor. The 
Decree of the Court, cited by Kirkham, has furnished evidence 
that Evans too had official papers. Their nature and purport 
we know pretty certainly by the theatrical practices under them. 
His leasing the theatre for twenty-one years,® which meant the 
rest of his life, also shows he felt his concessions extended prac- 
tically in perpetuum. 
Evidence has shown that about twenty-five to thirty boys were 
boarded and lodged at Blackfriars,® while the chorus of twelve 
Children’ for the Chapel service were kept at or near the Palace.® 
At the theatre were provided school-room,® praeceptores, and 
musici’© for the education and special training of the Children 
there.** As an essential adjunct to theatrical requirements, an 
extensive wardrobe was supplied,’? as also probably stage-furni- 
ture.1* The total expense of these elaborate provisions was borne 
by the royal exchequer.** 
We have seen that the declarations of documents on certain of 
these heads are supported also by the evidence of plays. 
I may here add also conclusions that lie patent to the observer. 
No one could fail to recognize the impossibility of the Children 
of the Chapel being used as actors without the Queen’s knowl- 
edge. Students have hitherto recognized that such knowledge 
implied consent and some sort of favor. All the printed plays of 
the Boys announce them as Children of her Majesty’s Chapel, or 
Children of Blackfriars, or both. The official record concerning 
their performances at Court speaks of them as Children of the 
Chapel.*® It was universally known that they were the Children 
of the Chapel taken up for the Queen’s service and maintained 
* Supra, 60°. *Supra, 40°, 40°, 71. 
> Supra, 70-71. Supra, 106-7. 
® Supra, 83. 4 Supra, 106-7, 113. 
4 Supra, 81-82". ” Supra, ibid; 98-101, 123-24, 178. 
“Supra, 57. ® Supra, 1012. 
° Supra, 75, 73-76. “Supra, 70-71, 98-101", 106-7, 178. 
*Supra, 59°. *See Court Plays, complete 
* Supra, 73. work, vol. II. 
241 
