The Misery of Civil War

The Misery of Civil War is a 1680 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It was originally staged by the Duke's Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre in London. The play was staged at the height of the Popish Plot, something Crowne addressed in his prologue. Although he states that "by his feeble skill 'tis built alone, The Divine Shakespeare did not lay one Stone" the plot in fact drew heavily on Henry VI, Part 2 and Part 3

The Misery of Civil War
Written by	John Crowne
Date premiered	February 1680
Place premiered	Dorset Garden Theatre, London
Original language	English
Genre	Tragedy
Setting	England, 15th century

The original cast included Joseph Williams as Henry the Sixth, William Smith as Edward, John Bowman as Duke of Clarence, Thomas Gillow as Richard, Thomas Betterton as Earl of Warwick, Thomas Percival as Old Lord Clifford, John Wiltshire as Young Clifford, Mary Lee as Queen Margaret, Mary Betterton as Lady Grey and Elizabeth Currer as Lady Eleanor Butler.

Bibliography

• Murray, Barbara A. Restoration Shakespeare: Viewing the Voice. Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2001.
• Van Lennep, W. The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume One, 1660-1700. Southern Illinois University Press, 1960.