In 1642, England's Parliament banned theatres
On 6 September 1642, England's Parliament banned all theatre performances in the country, a prohibition that lasted for nearly two decades. The decision had a lasting effect on the development of English theatre.
On 6 September 1642, the Parliament of England issued a ban on all theatrical activity in the country. The decision came shortly after relations between Parliament and King Charles I Stuart had deteriorated into a state of civil war.
A lasting prohibition
The ban was no brief measure — it remained in force for nearly eighteen years, until the restoration of the monarchy in 1660. Throughout this period, theatrical life in England was severely restricted.
Effect on the theatrical tradition
Such a prolonged ban left a lasting mark on the development of English theatre, radically altering its character by the time performances were once again permitted after the monarchy's restoration.
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