The Admiral’s Men

The Admiral’s Men were an acting company of Elizabethan and Jacobean England. They were known originally as the Lord Howard’s Men, named after their first patron Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham, 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham. Lord Howard became England’s Lord High Admiral in 1585, and from this point the company changed their name to The Admiral’s Men.

The principal actor of The Admiral’s Men was Edward Alleyn, known as one of the finest actors of his age. Philip Henslowe was the company’s manager.

The Admiral’s Men are noted chiefly for their close alliance with the playwright Christopher Marlowe. They premiered and performed several of Marlowe’s plays, including Doctor Faustus and Tamburaine the Great.

At their zenith, The Admiral’s Men were considered to be the greatest Elizabethan playing company. However, the retirement of Edward Alleyn coincided with the rise in popularity of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, leading to a decline in the company’s fortunes. The Admiral’s Men finally disbanded in 1631.