IN the composition of this play Shakespeare probably derived help, at least in the shape of suggestions, from an earlier drama, now no longer known, on the subject of Cardinal Wolsey. This was written by Chettle and others in 1601-2, or before, and appears to have been in two parts. To Samuel Rowley's " When you see me, you know me," 1605, he was probably under no obligations whatever.
The old Shakespeare Society contemplated a reprint of Rowley's performance from the editw princeps of 1605, it is to be presumed on account of its collateral and contemporary interest; but, after all, it does not come legitimately within the category of Shakespeariana.
But as Mr Dyce (edition of Shakespeare, 1868, v. 481), re-inarks, the poet frequently employs the veiy words of Holinshed, to whom he almost unquestionably went for his history. That he also consulted Foxe's "Martyrs," the extract hereafter printed will show with tolerable clearness.
We have no precise evidence as to the state in which the drama left the poet's hands ; but there can be little doubt that it received interpolations, especially in the concluding portion, from another and very inferior pen.
At the suggestion of Mr Furnivall, select passages from Holinshed, running more or less parallel with the course of the drama, have "been given; but there are portions of the latter whicn appear to have no counterpart in the historical narrative.