Life
Henslowe was born in Lindfield, Sussex, England of a family with roots in Devon. His father, Edmund Henslowe, was appointed Master of the Game for Ashdown Forest, Sussex, from 1539 until his death in 1562. Before Edmund Henslowe’s death, his daughter Margaret had married Ralf Hogge, an ironmaster who had risen from humble roots to operate his own mills. Henslowe maintained links with Sussex throughout his life, through his business interests and his family, most of whom lived there.
By the 1570s, Henslowe had moved to London, becoming a member of the Dyers' Company. Henslowe is recorded working as assistant to Henry Woodward, reputed to be the bailiff of Viscount Montague, owner of Cowdray House and Battle Abbey in Sussex. Henslowe married Woodward’s widow, Agnes, and from 1577 lived in Southwark, opposite the Clink prison. His elder brother Edmund, a merchant, also owned property in Southwark. It was at one time assumed that his wife's inheritance gave Henslowe his start in business, but there is no evidence for this.
His success at business appears to have brought him some social prominence. By the early 17th century, he was a vestryman, churchwarden and overseer of the poor in St Saviour’s ward in Southwark. During the reign of Elizabeth I, he was a Groom of the Chamber. Under James I, he served as a Gentleman Sewer of the Chamber. Henslowe also served as a collector of the Lay Subsidy.
Henslowe died in 1616, still actively involved in the theatre.
Read more about this topic: Philip Henslowe
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