This passage seems to point to the existence of other historical plays _contemporary_ with those of Shakespeare. Besides, Jonson’s words seem sufficiently harmless. Nevertheless, although I am not inclined to accept Malone’s charge of ‘malignity’, I cannot agree with Gifford that the reference is merely a general one. I have no doubt that the ‘Chronicle,’ of which Merecraft speaks, is Hall’s, and the passage the following: ‘It semeth to many men, that the name and title of Gloucester, hath been vnfortunate and vnluckie to diuerse, whiche for their honor, haue been erected by creacion of princes, to that stile and dignitie, as Hugh Spencer, Thomas of Woodstocke, sonne to kyng Edward the third, and this duke Humfrey, which thre persones, by miserable death finished their daies, and after them kyng Richard the iii. also, duke of Gloucester, in ciuill warre was slaine and confounded: so y^t this name of Gloucester, is take for an vnhappie and vnfortunate stile, as the prouerbe speaketh of Seianes horse, whose rider was euer unhorsed, and whose possessor was euer brought to miserie.’ Hall’s _Chronicle_, ed. 1809, pp. 209-10. The passage in ‘the Play-bookes’ which Jonson satirizes is at the close of _3 Henry VI._ 2. 6: _Edw._ Richard, I will create thee Duke of Gloucester, And George, of Clarence: Warwick, as ourself, Shall do and undo as him pleaseth best. _Rich._ Let me be Duke of Clarence, George of Gloucester; For Gloucester’s dukedom is too ominous. The last line, of course, corresponds to the _’Tis fatal_ of Fitzdottrel. Furthermore it may be observed that Thomas of Woodstock’s death at Calais is referred to in Shakespeare’s _K. Rich. II._; Duke Humphrey appears in _2 Henry IV._; _Henry V._; and _1_ and _2 Henry VI._; and Richard III. in _2_ and _3 Henry VI._ and _K. Rich. III._ _3 Henry VI._ is probably, however, not of Shakespearean authorship. =2. 4. 15 a noble house.= See Introduction, p. lxxiv. =2. 4. 23 Groen-land.= The interest in Greenland must have been at its height in 1616. Between 1576 and 1622 English explorers discovered various portions of its coast; the voyages of Frobisher, Davis, Hudson and Baffin all taking place during that period. Hakluyt’s _Principall Navigations_ appeared in 1589, Davis’s _Worldes Hydrographical Description_ in 1594, and descriptions of Hudson’s voyages in 1612-3. The usual spelling of the name seems to have been _Groenland_, as here. I find the word spelled also _Groineland_, _Groenlandia_, _Gronland_, and _Greneland_ (see Publications of the Hakluyt Society). Jonson’s reference has in it a touch of sarcasm. =2. 4. 27 f. Yes, when you=, etc. The source of this passage is Hor., _Sat._ 2. 2. 129 f.: