
Welcome to the life of Benjamin Jonson—widely regarded as the second-best playwright of the Elizabethan era and ALWAYS in competition with Shakespeare. Before rising to literary fame, Jonson was part of the Admiral’s Men acting troupe in London, where he found himself caught in deadly dramas on and offstage. In 1598, he killed actor Gabriel Spencer in a duel—an encounter that turned fatal with a man already known for his violent streak.
Episode Sources:
“Ben Jonson’s Murder Charge” by Mike Paterson, November 21, 2018, London Historians’ Blog
“Isle of Dogs, The” from Lost Plays Database
“Psalm 51, New International Version” from BibleGateway
“Category: Gabriel Spencer” from Lost Plays Database
“Gabriel Spencer” from Find A Grave
“Ben Jonson and Shakespeare” with Greg Doran, Shakespeare birthplace trust
“Gunpowder, treason and Jonson” by Rosalind Miles, November 20, 2005, Prospect
“Privy Council” The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2025
“Benefit of clergy” by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Sep. 2007
Join our Patreon!
https://www.patreon.com/horrorwoodpodcast
Follow us!
IG, FB, FB Group, Twitter, TikTok
Send us an email:
Creeptastic theme music by:
Nicholas Davio - nicholasdavio.com, @mr.nick.davio, @huron_coast
No comments yet. Be the first to say something!