The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 26.489 Wednesday, 21 October 2015
From: Brian Corrigan <
Date: October 20, 2015 at 4:45:28 PM EDT
Subject: THE COMPENDIUM OF RENAISSANCE DRAMA
Dear Hardy:
You might remember back in 2002 you were kind enough to post a call for scholars to contribute to an ambitious database project which had already been in the works by that time some 13 years. Little did I realize that would mark the ‘half-way point’. Nevertheless, as of this morning I am delighted to announce that The Compendium of Renaissance Drama (CORD) has found an online home.
The University of Georgia Library system will house the fully searchable database as an open access, free resource. No announcement yet as to when the database will be available for access, but I wanted to let you know in hopes that you would spread the word on SHAKSPER (which is prominent in the listing of CORD contributors, as indeed are you personally).
Briefly, the CORD is a five-million-plus-word database featuring synoptic treatment of every extant play from the English stage to have been performed in English between 1486 and 1642. It includes interactive maps, illustrations, finding lists of persons and plays, a complete prosopography of every character to appear or be mentioned on the Renaissance English stage, a complete topographical dictionary of every place-name mentioned in the period drama, animated stemma of the British monarchs from the Conqueror to Charles I and another of the Julio-Claudian Emperors, comprehensive timelines of playhouses, playing companies, and playwrights, all inter-linked to the relevant play synopses.
I will send you additional details (and links) when they become available. In the meantime, additional information is available by writing to me at
Warm regards,
Brian