Fletcher, John

Fletcher, John (1579–1625), nephew of Giles Fletcher the elder and cousin of Giles the younger and Phineas Fletcher. From about 1606 he wrote some 15 plays in collaboration with Sir F. Beaumont, and some 16 of which he was sole author. He also collaborated with Massinger, Rowley, Middleton, Jonson, Chapman, and others in the writing of many other works.

Among the principal plays of which Fletcher was probably sole author are: The Faithful Shepherdess (printed not later than 1610); Valentinian (perf. 1610–14); The Loyal Subject (perf. 1618); The Humorous Lieutenant (perf. 1619); The Wilde Goose Chase (perf. 1621); The Woman's Prize, written 1604–17; Rule a Wife and Have a Wife (perf. 1624); The Chances, written c.1617.

Among plays certainly or probably by Beaumont and Fletcher are: Philaster, written 1609; The Maid's Tragedy, written 1610–11; A King and No King (perf. 1611); Bonduca (perf. 1613–14); Thierry King of France (printed 1621; also with Massinger).

Among plays probably by Fletcher and some other dramatist are: Sir John Van Olden Barnavelt (perf. 1619); The False One (perf. c.1620); The Custom of the Country (printed 1647); The Spanish Curate and The Beggar's Bush (both perf. 1622). In all the above Fletcher certainly or probably collaborated with Massinger. The romantic drama The Lover's Progress (perf. 1623) was later revised by Massinger. The Elder Brother (printed 1637) is thought to have been written by Fletcher and revised by Massinger. The Bloody Brother, or Rollo, Duke of Normandy (perf. c.1616) is by Fletcher, Jonson, Chapman, and Massinger. Fletcher also collaborated with Shakespeare in The Two Noble Kinsmen and Henry VIII.