[Footnote 598: "When Her Majesty's Servants were at the Cockpit, being all at liberty, they dispersed themselves to several companies." (Heton's Patent, 1639, _The Shakespeare Society Papers_, IV, 96.)] Before the plague had ceased, early in 1637, "Mr. Beeston was commanded to make a company of boys."[599] In the Office-Book of the Lord Chamberlain we find, under the date of February 21, 1637: "Warrant to swear Mr. Christopher Beeston His Majesty's Servant in the place of Governor of the new company of The King's and Queen's Boys."[600] The first recorded performance by this new company was at Court on February 7, 1637.[601] On February 23, the number of deaths from the plague having diminished, acting was again permitted; but at the expiration of one week, on March 2, the number of deaths having increased, all playhouses were again closed. During this single week the King's and Queen's Boys, we may suppose, acted at the Cockpit.[602] [Footnote 599: Herbert Manuscript, Malone, _Variorum_, III, 240.] [Footnote 600: Stopes, "Shakespeare's Fellows and Followers," Shakespeare _Jahrbuch_, XLVI, 99. In 1639 Heton applied for a patent as "Governor" of the company at Salisbury Court.] [Footnote 601: On May 10 Beeston was paid for "two plays acted by the New Company." See Stopes, "Shakespeare's Fellows and Followers," in the Shakespeare _Jahrbuch_, XLVI, 99.] [Footnote 602: Herbert Manuscript, Malone, _Variorum_, III, 240.] On May 12, Beeston was arrested and brought before the Privy Council for having allowed his Boys to act a play at the Cockpit during the inhibition.[603] In his apology he explains this as follows: "Petitioner being commanded to erect and prepare a company of young actors for Their Majesties's service, and being desirous to know how they profited by his instructions, invited some noblemen and gentlemen to see them act at his house, the Cockpit. For which, since he perceives it is imputed as a fault, he is very sorry, and craves pardon."[604] [Footnote 603: The Malone Society's _Collections_, I, 392.] [Footnote 604: _The Calendar of State Papers, Domestic, 1636-1637_, p. 254.] On September 17, 1637, "Christopher Beeston, His Majesty's servant, by petition to the Board, showed that he hath many young actors lying unpractised by reason of the restraint occasioned by infection of the plague, whereby they are much disabled to perform their service, and besought that they might have leave to practise. It was ordered that Beeston should be at liberty to practise his actors at Michaelmas next [September 29], if there be no considerable increase of the sickness, nor that there die more than died last week."[605] [Footnote 605: _Ibid._, _1637_, p. 420.]