Cuthbert Burbage facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cuthbert Burbage
Memorial plaque commemorating Cuthbert Burbage and others buried at St. Leonard's, Shoreditch
Born	London
Baptised	15 June 1565
Died	15 September 1636 (aged 71) Hayes, Kent
Buried	Shoreditch
Spouse(s)	Elizabeth Cox
Issue	Walter Burbage James Burbage Elizabeth Burbage
Father	James Burbage
Mother	Ellen Brayne

Cuthbert Burbage (born around June 15, 1565 – died September 15, 1636) was an important person in English theatre. He was the son of James Burbage, who built the famous Theatre in Shoreditch. Cuthbert was also the older brother of the well-known actor Richard Burbage.

From 1589, Cuthbert owned the land lease for The Theatre. He is most famous for his big role in building the Globe Theatre. For about 40 years, he was key to the success of Shakespeare's acting company, the King's Men.

Cuthbert Burbage's Family Life

The Burbage family likely moved to London from Bromley in Kent. Cuthbert Burbage was baptized on June 15, 1565, in London. He was one of two sons of James Burbage and Ellen Brayne. His younger brother, Richard Burbage, became a very famous actor. Cuthbert also had two sisters, Ellen and Alice.

The Theatre in Shoreditch: Early Challenges

Cuthbert Burbage worked for Walter Cope, a gentleman who served an important lord. Cuthbert likely worked as a clerk, helping with financial records.

When Cuthbert turned 21 in 1586, he joined his father in a legal fight. This fight was about The Theatre in Shoreditch. His father, James Burbage, and his uncle, John Brayne, had built The Theatre together. But they did not have a written agreement. This caused many problems between them.

John Brayne died in 1586. He had promised to leave his share of The Theatre to James Burbage's children. But he never changed his will. James Burbage also did not give Brayne a half share of the land lease. This lease was a 21-year agreement with the landowner, Giles Allen.

Because of these issues, Brayne's widow, Margaret, started legal cases against James Burbage. She wanted her share of the profits or ownership of The Theatre. These court battles went on for many years.

Cuthbert Takes Over the Lease

While these lawsuits were happening, Cuthbert Burbage stepped in to help. In June 1589, his employer, Walter Cope, helped Cuthbert get the land lease for The Theatre. Cuthbert took over the lease from John Hyde, who had taken it from James Burbage due to unpaid debts.

This meant Cuthbert Burbage now legally owned the lease for The Theatre. Even though his father still managed the theatre, Cuthbert was now responsible for it. He had to borrow money to pay off the debts.

Conflicts at The Theatre

Cuthbert's ownership of the lease pulled him deeper into the legal fights. In November 1590, Margaret Brayne tried to get half the profits from The Theatre. She and her friends went to the theatre during a performance.

A fight broke out in the theatre yard. James Burbage's wife and young son, Richard Burbage, were involved. Cuthbert Burbage arrived and strongly told the intruders to leave. They were forced out of the theatre.

These legal battles continued until Margaret Brayne died in 1593. Her property, including her share of The Theatre, went to Robert Miles. He continued the lawsuits for a few more years.

In February 1597, James Burbage died. Two months later, the land lease for The Theatre ended. The landowner, Giles Allen, refused to renew it. This left Cuthbert Burbage and the acting company needing a new home.

The Globe in Southwark: A New Beginning

Cuthbert Burbage faced a big problem: where would the Lord Chamberlain's Men (Shakespeare's company) perform? His father had tried to move them to the Blackfriars Theatre, but wealthy neighbors stopped it.

After trying one last time to renew the lease for The Theatre, Cuthbert took action. The old lease allowed him to use the wood from The Theatre if he took it down before the lease expired. Giles Allen, the landowner, wanted to use the wood himself.

Cuthbert Burbage found a new piece of land in Bankside, near another theatre called The Rose. He made a verbal agreement for a lease with Nicholas Brend. Cuthbert then hired Peter Streete to take down the old Theatre.

Moving The Theatre to Build The Globe

On the night of December 28, 1598, Cuthbert and Richard Burbage, along with Peter Streete and others, took The Theatre apart. They carried all the wood and timber across the River Thames. Then, they rebuilt it on the new land in Bankside.

This new theatre was given a new name: the Globe. It opened by September 1599. The Globe became a stable home for the Chamberlain's Men, and later for the King's Men.

Cuthbert and his brother, Richard, financed the new Globe. They made five actors, including William Shakespeare, part-owners of the theatre's profits. This arrangement helped make the Chamberlain's Men the most important acting group in London.

Later, in 1632, Cuthbert Burbage and other actors filed a complaint in court. They wanted to confirm an extension of the Globe's lease. This showed their continued commitment to the theatre.

Cuthbert Burbage's Later Life and Death

Cuthbert Burbage remained one of the owners of the Globe Theatre until he died in 1636. He was 71 years old. Being involved with the Globe was very profitable for him. He lived in a nice house in London and owned another property outside the city.

Portrayals in Media

On Stage

• In the musical & Juliet on the West End, Billy Nevers plays Cuthbert. In this show, Cuthbert is shown as a fun-loving super fan of Shakespeare.