Page:Shakespeare of Stratford (1926) Yale.djvu/154

Shakespeare of Stratford but in all towns recognized noblemen’s companies were entitled to the use of the town halls for their plays. James I’s patent to Shakespeare and his fellows definitely grants them the right to act ‘within any townhalls, or motehalls, or other convenient places within our said realms and dominions.’ The country houses of gentlemen were frequently visited by traveling companies.