July 22 - Playwright Edward Sharpham and his Cupid’s Whirligig

On this day in Tudor history, 22nd July 1576, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, playwright and pamphleteer, Edward Sharpham, was baptised at Colehanger, East Allington, in Devon. Sharpham is thought to have written the plays “The Fleire” and “Cupid's Whirligig”, and fellow playwright Ben Jonson referred to him as a rogue.

 

Find out more about this lesser known Tudor man and his comedy Cupid's Whirligig in today's talk from historian Claire Ridgway. You can see this podcast as a video at the following link:

https://youtu.be/tOQe5QBTudA

 

Cupid’s Whirligig - https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=k15iAAAAcAAJ&pg=PT6&source=gbs_toc_r&cad=4#v=onepage&q&f=false 

Also on this day in Tudor history, 22nd July 1536, Henry VIII’s illegitimate son, Henry Fitzroy, died at St James’ Palace. It was a huge blow for the king. You can find out about Fitzroy’s illness, death and burial, and what a favourite he was with his father, in last year’s video - https://youtu.be/Ocq7Reasktg