Acting Companies and their Plays in Shakespeare's London explores the intimate and dynamic relationship between acting companies and playwrights in this seminal era in English theatre history. Siobhan Keenan's analysis includes chapters on the traditions and workings of contemporary acting companies, playwriting practices, stages and staging, audiences and patrons, each illustrated with detailed case studies of individual acting companies and their plays, including troupes such as Lady Elizabeth's players, 'Beeston's Boys' and the King's Men and works by Shakespeare, Jonson, Middleton, Brome and Heywood. We are accustomed to focusing on individual playwrights: Acting Companies and their Plays in Shakespeare's London makes the case that we also need to think about the companies for which dramatists wrote and with whose members they collaborated, if we wish to better understand the dramas of the English Renaissance stage.

Explore the rich history of London's Livery Companies with "An Historical Essay on the Livery Companies of London" by Richard James Cheeswright. This comprehensive essay delves into the origins, significance, and evolution of these ancient trade associations that have played a pivotal role in the economic and social fabric of London. Cheeswright's detailed research and engaging narrative provide readers with a deep understanding of these historic institutions and their lasting impact on the city.