Arrest Warrant for Christopher Marlowe
- When
- 1593
- Where
- London
- Episodes
- 3
In May 1593, the Privy Council issued an arrest warrant for Christopher Marlowe following the discovery of heretical materials at Thomas Kyd's lodgings. Marlowe surrendered on 20 May and was ordered to attend the Council daily until licensed otherwise.
Episodes
- Privy Council Order
The Privy Council ordered the arrest of those responsible for libels threatening Protestant refugees in London.
- Marlowe Arrest Warrant
A warrant for Christopher Marlowe's arrest was issued on 18 May 1593, with authorities aware of his potential location.
- Marlowe Surrender
Marlowe presented himself on 20 May 1593 and was instructed to attend the Privy Council daily until licensed otherwise.
Background and detail
Political Context. The warrant emerged amid tensions involving Protestant refugees in London. In early May 1593, bills were posted threatening these groups, prompting the Privy Council to order the arrest of those responsible for the libels on 11 May.
Investigation and Warrant. Thomas Kyd was arrested the day after the Council's order, and a heretical tract was found at his lodgings. Consequently, a warrant for Marlowe's arrest was issued on 18 May 1593, with authorities aware he might be staying with Thomas Walsingham.
Marlowe's Surrender. Marlowe presented himself to the authorities on 20 May 1593. As there was no Privy Council meeting that day, he was instructed to give his daily attendance on their Lordships until he was licensed to the contrary.
People involved
- Christopher Marlowe · Subject of arrest warrant
- Thomas Kyd · Colleague arrested during investigation
- Privy Council · Issuing authority
Sources
- Christopher Marlowe Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-21
Machine-drafted from the cited Wikipedia passages and checked by a reviewing model, not by a human editor. Every passage cites the revision it was written from; dates and places follow those passages.