The theatres were considerably reduced in number by the time 1636 was arrived at.

Then came the arbitrary closing of the playhouses--professedly but for a season.

Thus in 1636 they were closed for ten months; in 1642 for eighteen months.

In truth Puritanism carried on its victorious campaign against the drama for something like thirty years; while even at an earlier date there had been certain skirmishing attacks upon the stage.

With the first Puritan began the quarrel with the players.