Robert Armin
Robert Armin entered the Goldsmiths' Company in 1581 as a young man from King's Lynn. His father John Armyn II worked as a tailor and maintained friendships with local goldsmith John Lonyson. The arrangement placed Armin under Lonyson's supervision at the Royal Mint within the Tower of London. This move shifted his life away from Norfolk tailoring into a circle of high responsibility and social standing. Lonyson died shortly after taking charge in 1582, forcing the apprenticeship to transfer to another master. An anecdote preserved in Tarlton's Jests claims that Armin caught the eye of Queen's jester Richard Tarlton during money collection duties. The story describes Armin writing verses in chalk on an inn wall when a lodger refused payment. Tarlton allegedly approved the wit and wrote back expressing a desire to take him as apprentice. Though uncorroborated, this tale suggests early literary promise before his official apprenticeship ended in 1592. By 1590, his name appeared in the preface of A Brief Resolution of the Right Religion. Two years later, writers Thomas Nashe and Gabriel Harvey mentioned him as a ballad writer.
During the 1590s Robert Armin joined William Brydges' troupe known as the Chandos company. Traveling from western Midlands to East Anglia, he performed parts in The History of the Two Maids of More-clacke. The play's 1609 quarto indicates he played Blue John, a clown type similar to Tarlton and Kempe. He also doubled as Tutch, a witty fool role he would later perfect in London. The text was likely written around 1597 despite its late publication date. A dedication to Brydges' widow in 1604 hints at personal ties with the family. Another work shows he may have spent time performing solo pieces like Will Kempe did. Fool Upon Fool published in 1600 offered wit from natural fools some he knew personally. Quips upon Questions released that same year featured dialogues with his marotte named Signor Truncheon. These books demonstrate a performer deeply interested in craft beyond mere acting. An entry notes travel plans to Hackney on either Tuesday the 25th of December 1599 or Tuesday the 1st of January 1600. This trip possibly involved visiting Baron Chandos or Edward de Vere who lived nearby during holidays.
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Common questions
When did Robert Armin enter the Goldsmiths' Company?
Robert Armin entered the Goldsmiths' Company in 1581 as a young man from King's Lynn. His father John Armyn II worked as a tailor and maintained friendships with local goldsmith John Lonyson.
Who was Richard Tarlton and what role did he play in Robert Armin's life?
Richard Tarlton was Queen's jester who allegedly approved of Robert Armin's wit during money collection duties. An anecdote preserved in Tarlton's Jests claims that Tarlton wrote back expressing a desire to take him as apprentice after seeing verses written by Armin on an inn wall.
What plays did Robert Armin perform in during the 1590s?
During the 1590s Robert Armin joined William Brydges' troupe known as the Chandos company where he performed parts in The History of the Two Maids of More-clacke. The play's 1609 quarto indicates he played Blue John, a clown type similar to Tarlton and Kempe.
When did Robert Armin's apprenticeship officially end?
Robert Armin's official apprenticeship ended in 1592 following the death of his master John Lonyson in 1582. This move shifted his life away from Norfolk tailoring into a circle of high responsibility and social standing before he began writing verses.
Which books did Robert Armin publish between 1600 and 1604?
Fool Upon Fool published in 1600 offered wit from natural fools some he knew personally while Quips upon Questions released that same year featured dialogues with his marotte named Signor Truncheon. A dedication to Brydges' widow appeared in 1604 hinting at personal ties with the family.