Susan Baskervile facts for kids

Susan Shore Browne Greene Baskervile (died 1648), also known as Susan Baskerville, was a very important woman in the world of English Renaissance theatre. She was involved in many ways: as an investor in theatres, someone who went to court to protect her rights, and as the wife, widow, and mother of actors.

Susan lived during a time when theatre was becoming very popular in England, and she played a big role behind the scenes.

Early Life and Family Connections

Susan Baskerville had a life full of connections to the theatre world through her marriages and children.

Her First Marriage

Her first husband was Robert Browne, who passed away in 1603. Robert was an actor and managed a theatre called the Boar's Head Theatre. Susan was his second wife. They had five children together. One of their sons, William Browne, became an actor himself. He performed with famous groups like Queen Anne's Men and Prince Charles's Men between 1616 and his death in 1634.

Her Second Marriage

Susan's second husband was a well-known comedian named Thomas Greene. He was also an actor with Queen Anne's Men. Sadly, Thomas died young in August 1612. They had one daughter named Honor.

Her Third Marriage

In June 1613, Susan married her third husband, James Baskervile. This marriage was not a happy one. James left her and moved to Ireland in 1617.

Susan's Role as a Theatre Investor

Susan Baskerville was not just connected to theatre through her family; she was also a smart investor.

Investing in Queen Anne's Men

When her second husband, Thomas Greene, passed away in 1612, he left his share in the Queen Anne's Men acting company to Susan. This share was worth about 80 pounds, which was a lot of money back then! The company also owed Thomas more money, which Susan inherited.

In 1615, Susan and James Baskervile decided to invest even more money, about 57 pounds, into the company. In return, they were promised a small payment every day the company performed a play, for as long as they lived.

However, the Queen's Men struggled to make these payments. In 1616, Susan invested another 38 pounds, and the company agreed to pay her more each day. But they still couldn't keep up with the payments. They even failed to pay her son, William, who was acting with them.

The Lawsuit and Its Impact

Because the company wasn't paying her, Susan Baskerville decided to take them to court. She sued Ellis Worth and other members of the Queen's Men. Susan won her case in 1623. This lawsuit was so significant that it caused the acting company to break up!

The long court case, often called the Baskervile lawsuit, involved many people from the company giving their side of the story. These records are very important today because they help historians understand how acting companies worked, what actors earned, and their problems during that time. Famous theatre figures like Christopher Beeston and Thomas Heywood spoke in favor of Susan.

Investing in Other Theatres

Susan Baskerville continued to invest in the theatre world. When the original Fortune Theatre burned down in 1621, it was rebuilt. Susan invested in this new theatre. Records from a lawsuit in 1637 show that she owned one of the 24 shares in the Fortune Theatre. She continued to own this share until the theatres were closed in September 1642, at the start of the English Civil War. Even then, the lawsuit related to her investment was still ongoing in 1648, the year she passed away.

Susan's Legacy

Susan Baskerville's actions, especially her lawsuits, have given us much of what we know about theatre companies like Queen Anne's Company. She helped show the duties, salaries, and problems faced by actors and others working in the theatre.

When her son William Browne passed away in 1634, he made Susan the person in charge of his will. This meant Susan gained control of William's share in the Red Bull company, which was named after the Red Bull Theatre where they performed. Soon after, Susan was involved in another legal case with William's widow, Anne Browne.

It is believed that Susan Baskerville might not have been able to write much, as she often signed legal papers only with her initials. However, her actions show she was a very strong and determined woman who played a key role in the business side of English Renaissance theatre.