# James I patents the Chamberlain's Men as the King's Men, naming Shakespeare among the players

Date: 1603

## The fact

On 19 May 1603 letters patent under James I named Lawrence Fletcher, [William Shakespeare](/people/william-shakespeare), Richard Burbage, Augustine Phillips, John Heminges, Henry Condell, William Sly, Robert Armin, Richard Cowley 'and the rest of their associates' as the King's players. This is a completed royal instrument, not a courtesy title invented by later editors.

## Context

Elizabeth died on 24 March 1603. Playing companies needed a new patron fast, in a plague year. Becoming the King's Men gave livery, legal cover, and court work. It also tied the company to royal occasions and to censorship through the Master of the Revels. Shakespeare is one name in a list. He did not sign the patent as a secretary of state.

## Evidence and sources

The patent text is a standard documentary object in Shakespeare Documented and company histories. Birthplace Trust treats 1603 as the conversion date. The document establishes names, date, and royal household status. It does not establish that Shakespeare acted every night or that he wrote the patent. Wikipedia is not used as a causal source.

## Significance

Patent is protection for a public cultural firm. Cohesion is the continued existence of the company through a dynastic change and an epidemic. The offset is closer court control.

## What is established and what is not

Established: 19 May 1603 patent naming Shakespeare. Not established: that this was a personal honour separable from the company; that it increased wages for hired men; that it reduced plague deaths. Confidence high on the text.

The event remains dated 1603-05-19. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare is named in the royal patent as one of the licensed players; the king issued the patent. Royal patent converted a lord's company into a household company, protecting public playing under the new reign. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1603-05-19. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare is named in the royal patent as one of the licensed players; the king issued the patent. Royal patent converted a lord's company into a household company, protecting public playing under the new reign. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1603-05-19. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare is named in the royal patent as one of the licensed players; the king issued the patent. Royal patent converted a lord's company into a household company, protecting public playing under the new reign. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1603-05-19. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare is named in the royal patent as one of the licensed players; the king issued the patent. Royal patent converted a lord's company into a household company, protecting public playing under the new reign. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1603-05-19. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare is named in the royal patent as one of the licensed players; the king issued the patent. Royal patent converted a lord's company into a household company, protecting public playing under the new reign. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

The event remains dated 1603-05-19. Shakespeare's documented role is: Shakespeare is named in the royal patent as one of the licensed players; the king issued the patent. Royal patent converted a lord's company into a household company, protecting public playing under the new reign. Responsibility is not transferred to later editors, later theatres, or later national myth.

## People

- William Shakespeare: https://factrail.ai/people/william-shakespeare

## Drivers

- Social Cohesion: https://factrail.ai/drivers/social-cohesion

## Sources

- https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/william-shakespeare/
- https://shakespearedocumented.folger.edu/

## Methodology

https://factrail.ai/methodology

Canonical: https://factrail.ai/facts/shakespeare-kings-men-patent-1603