Bussy D'Ambois

This article is about the 1603 play by George Chapman. For the 1691 play by Thomas d'Urfey, see Bussy D'Ambois (1691 play). For the historical figure the play is based on, see Louis de Clermont, seigneur de Bussy.
Bussy D'Ambois: A Tragedie: As It hath been often Performed at Paules
Written byGeorge Chapman
CharactersBussy D'Ambois; Monsieur; Montsurry; Guise; King Henry; Tamyra; Comolet; Behemoth; Cartophylax; Beaupre; Annable; Pero; Dutchesse
Date premiered1603–1604
Place premieredLondon
Original languageEnglish
SubjectFrench history
GenreTragedy
SettingFrance

Bussy D'Ambois: A Tragedie (probably written 1603–1604; first published 1607)[1] is a Jacobean stage play written by George Chapman. Classified as either a tragedy or "contemporary history," Bussy D'Ambois is widely considered Chapman's greatest play,[2] and is the earliest in a series of plays that Chapman wrote about the French political scene in his era, including the sequel The Revenge of Bussy D'Ambois, the two-part The Conspiracy and Tragedy of Charles, Duke of Byron, and The Tragedy of Chabot, Admiral of France.

The play is based on the life of the real Louis de Bussy d'Amboise, who was murdered in 1579.

  1. ^ George Chapman (1607). Bussy D'Ambois: A Tragedie: As It hath been often Performed at Paules. London: Printed [at Eliot's Court Press] for William Aspley. OCLC 228714134. Chapman's name does not actually appear in the first edition of the work.
  2. ^ Peter Ure, "Chapman's Tragedies," in Brown and Harris, pp. 227–36.