The Lady of May and The Four Foster Children of Desire

Abstract

This chapter reassesses critical interpretations of two royal entertainments involving Philip Sidney: a privately performed rustic comedy which he authored, The Lady of May, performed at his uncle Robert Dudley’s estate in Wanstead, Essex, in 1578; and an internationally public chivalric pageant in which he participated, The Four Foster Children of Desire, or Fortress of Perfect Beauty, performed at court in 1581. Both events featured Queen Elizabeth I directly in their dramatic action. This comparison of artistic designs and reconsideration of underlying motives emphasises that the theatrical deference both works show to the queen’s decision-making dramatised and affirmed her royal prerogative in matters of foreign policy.