The Globe Theatre was one of the most iconic theatres in England during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. It was home to some of William Shakespeare’s greatest works and it’s where they were first performed. Unfortunately, it was also notorious for having burned down during a performance on June 29, 1613 – an event that is still widely talked about.
Over time, various theories have been put forward to explain why the Globe Theatre burned down. However, none of them can be conclusively proven since there are no surviving firsthand accounts from that night. Nevertheless, historians look at possible historical information from eyewitnesses or related records to try and piece together what happened.
Before we delve into a few explanations as to why the theatre may have burnt down; let’s take a step back and briefly talk about the history of The Globe Theater:
A Brief History Of The Globe Theatre
Built-in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company Lord Chamberlain’s Men – which he partly owned – situated on London’s Bankside district, The Globe was an open-air playhouse with seating encircling its central stage area shaped like an octagon. At full capacity (with people standing around the lower perimeter), it could hold anywhere between roughly over three thousand guests at once.
While its interiors weren’t all fancy and glittery – after all it mainly catered to low-paying audiences – its wooden façade was decorated with decorative paintwork depicting mythological scenes and other ornamental elements.
The source materials needed creating flooring parts such as laths (thin-ish strips of wood) joists (the main structural beams supporting floors or ceilings), stud walls (wall frames made up of vertical planks connected by horizontal pieces), cross-beams etc., required significant amounts of timber resources–therefore making timber quite costly for those who’d need large quantities but weren’t producing enough themselves. To counterbalance this cost burden whilst still generating sufficient income, playwrights would create plays that featured minimal staging and décor. Instead, they relied mostly on the text and acting itself to tell the stories.
Now let’s take a look into what could have caused The Globe’s devastating fire:
Theory 1: Misuse of Canon Fire
One theory suggests that it all started with a pyrotechnic special effects gone awry. According to this hypothesis, during a production of Henry VIII- commonly called All is True at the time – fake cannons were employed as props for Edward VI ‘s christening scene in Act III, but their wadding – known gunpowder residue left after firing – wasn’t cleared out enough before reloading for shooting again.
This resulted in some smouldering embers caught up deep inside one of the cannons’ barrels until eventually flared up by an errant spark or ember from live flame illuminating onto it–creating clusters of flames spiralled upwards into adjacent roof layers made out timber shingles/drying rushes; rapidly spreading across other wooden surfaces ultimately engulfing most sections within minutes.
The idea behind using real cannon fire was to give audiences a more lifelike representation on stage that spurs their imaginations further while allowing actors or performers to act accordingly with realistic sound cues provided by thunderous explosions upon firing these simulated weapons. But sometimes actual explosives are not suitable given safety concerns incomplete combustion can result from spontaneous ignition negating its usefulness entirely.
Another reason why this theory holds water is because there were no mention about any lit candles/rushes nearby backstage areas prior when authorities checked what might’ve caused such an inferno. It’s believed had anything else sheath light able been responsible instead these big ballistics items loaded with black powder like canon ammunition present during performances ignited initially causing rapid spread trapping many crowds which led catastrophe unfold quite speedily without getting curtailed early enough saving lives people involved (theatregoers included).
Theory 2: Arson
Another theory is that The Globe Theatre may have been set on fire intentionally by someone with beef against Shakespeare or the theatre. Although there were always vocal detractors of playhouses operating in Elizabethan London, a more substantial reason seems to be Edward de Vere, the seventeenth Earl of Oxford was raising legal concerns over intellectual property rights infringement due to certain plays such as Hamlet (which he claimed belonged to him) making their way onto stage productions without proper permission during this period.
While nothing concrete suggests De Vere set off actual flames himself -nor any other individual- his gripes about ownerships related supposed productions could not easily go unheard considering how established it already was at late 16th century.
However, if arson did occur then it’s possible that whatever perpetrators might’ve snuck into theatre carrying ignition devices under cover – either forging documentations such as entrance passes to evade unnoticed while sneaking around backstage area prepping combustibles or simply scaling walls doing same overlooking everything below assembling said materials before striking matches and causing chaos behind curtains just before intermission ensued; which would’ve permitted enough time for them escaping through nearby alleys faster than authorities showing up response.
Again though- no proof exists demonstrating either scenario indeed taking place so far In history books according all information available now. It’s still considered plausible given premise it can’t ever conclusively denied completely without more solid evidence found one way another ultimately proving where truth lies once again remaining a mystery currently and likely forevermore.
Theory 3: Carelessness
A third possibility is plain old carelessness among staff members of The Globe Theater itself – especially those assigned responsibilities relatable opening/closing shows running sound/light equipment keeping floors/staging safe from random articles lying around potential fire ignitors during events peaking preshow activity levels leading into actual live performance schedules requiring high attention detail surroundings preventing emergencies taking place later down line putting many lives at risk hence carelessness with this entire endeavor not being up to snuff standards it requires.
With too much on their plates, stagehands might’ve forgot some basics needed during live performances capable of leading mishaps later. Supposedly floors had strewn-out dry leaves left there by chance from collected debris swept inside gathered underfoot during days before upcoming shows were forgotten all about since was considered a minor issue at the time and having effects more visually-pleasing (like fresh floral arrangements, painted backdrops) commanding attention allowed sideline nature these precarious unattended sparks waiting spontaneously ignite them occasionally sprouting flames rapidly stemming across nearby surfaces building strength as they spread.
This theory also aligns perfectly due to craftsmanship concerns raised earlier regarding low revenues earned selling prop-less tickets only contained writing texts audiences could follow along combined steep pricing barricading lower-class patrons’ admittance; forcing playwrights creating works almost uniquely focused on plot devices dialogue minimizing staging/effects explicitly hurting theatre’s economy whilst curbing health/safety regulations alike in long-run once divided public sentiment concerning these establishments already spreading wide enough for authorities taking note ultimately banning future playhouse construction til 50+ years after Globe burns down officially staining its legacy forevermore.
Conclusion
While experts cannot agree on exactly what caused The Globe Theatre to go up in flames back in the early 17th century, there are several theories that have been put forward. Whether it was due to pyrotechnics gone wrong, arson perpetrated by someone with a vendetta against Shakespeare or carelessness among staff members of The Globe itself – We may never know for sure. Nevertheless we should continue remembering how such catastrophic events not only effect individuals involved but history unfolding itself further down line finding ways prevent similar calamities reoccurring tomorrow is important consideration given humanity’s thirst growth advancement while still retaining cultural heritage tracing back multiple generations within society globally today knowing importantly maintaining its value improving life experience for everyone sharing this fantastic planet Earth shared together now and in future times to come.