Edward Ferrers (dramatist) facts for kids

Edward Ferrers (died 1564) was a man who lived a long time ago, during the time of King Edward VI of England. For many years, people thought he was a famous writer who wrote plays. A historian named Anthony Wood wrote about him as a "distinguished dramatist." However, today, historians don't believe this is true. It seems there was a big mix-up!

The Mystery of Edward Ferrers

Historians have found it tricky to figure out who the "real" Edward Ferrers was. This is because there were a few different people named Edward Ferrers living around the same time.

Edward Ferrers of Baddesley Clinton

One Edward Ferrers lived in a place called Baddesley Clinton in Warwickshire, England. He passed away on August 11, 1564. We know he was the son of Henry Ferrers. In 1548, he married a woman named Bridget Windsor. He was also the father of another famous person, Henry Ferrers, who was an antiquary (someone who studies old things). This Edward Ferrers was buried in Tarbick Church in Worcestershire.

Edward Ferrers at Court

Another Edward Ferrers was part of Queen Elizabeth's court. He was one of the "gentlemen pensioners," which means he was a kind of bodyguard or attendant to the Queen. In 1565, records show he owned land in London.

However, even with these details, there's no proof that either of these men were the playwriters or authors that Anthony Wood wrote about.

The Big Mix-Up

So, if Edward Ferrers wasn't a writer, how did the mistake happen? It turns out that Anthony Wood wasn't the first to get it wrong. Other writers before him, like Richard Puttenham and Francis Meres, also made this error.

They thought an Edward Ferrers had written plays and poems. But the truth is, the literary works they were talking about were actually written by someone else entirely: George Ferrers. George Ferrers was a real poet and dramatist.

Even though a later historian, Joseph Ritson, tried to correct these mistakes, the idea that Edward Ferrers was a writer stuck around for a while. Today, we know there's no solid evidence that Edward Ferrers himself ever wrote any books or plays. It was all a case of mistaken identity!