The Master of the Revels was the holder of a position within the English, and later the British, royal household, heading the "Revels Office" or "Office of the Revels". Originally he was responsible for overseeing royal festivities, known as revels, and he later also became responsible for stage censorship, until this function was transferred to the Lord Chamberlain in 1624. However it seems the Master of the Revels, who normally reported to the Lord Chamberlain in any event, continued to perform the function on behalf of his superior until the English Civil War closed the London theatres in 1642. The office continued almost until the end of the 18th century, although with rather reduced status.
Read more about Master Of The Revels: History, The Revels Office, List of Masters of The Revels
Famous quotes containing the words master of, master and/or revels:
“Master of the universe but not of myself, I am the only rebel against my absolute power.”
—Pierre Corneille (1606–1684)
“Man is more disposed to domination than freedom; and a structure of dominion not only gladdens the eye of the master who rears and protects it, but even its servants are uplifted by the thought that they are members of a whole, which rises high above the life and strength of single generations.”
—Karl Wilhelm Von Humboldt (1767–1835)
“Luxury spreads its ample board before their eyes; but they are excluded from the banquet. Plenty revels over the fields; but they are starving in the midst of its abundance: the whole wilderness has blossomed into a garden; but they feel as reptiles that infest it.”
—Washington Irving (1783–1859)