Eliza Haywood's Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh

Abstract

Prince Frederick, heir apparent to English crown, landed in England on 7 December 1728 from Hanover. Three months later, on Tuesday, 4 March 1729, Eliza Haywood's hastily written tragedy, Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh dedicated to prince, opened. It closed, after three performances, on 8 March. In her preface to printed edition of play, Haywood complains about its Reception and then considers (some would say rationalizes) possibilities for its failure.' Mostly, she is angry that ROYAL FAMILY not vouchsafed to honour it with their Presence, leading people to believe it was built ... upon a fabulous Foundation or that she had drawn so ill a Picture of Hero that they would not attend. She also speculates that some of her enemies industriously spread Abroad rumor that it was a poor play. Most would agree that tragedy was bad. John Genest calls it an indifferent Tragedy and comments that the love scenes are dull.2 George Whicher says that it contains almost nothing . . . but rant and fully deserved deep damnation of its taking off.3 Jacqueline Pearson is troubled by its deeply contradictory portrayal of title character.4 Its treatment of hero is problematic-hardly complimentary to prince-so that one must wonder if Haywood was serious in her bid for royal patronage. And why was she so angry that Royal family did not attend? Haywood's plays been indifferently received previously. In 1723, her only other original play, A Wife to Be Lett, ran only three nights, but she uttered no complaint. Apparently she felt