Shakespeare's Globe Centre(USA) Centre for Globe Research

Summaries and salvos from the architectural authenticity debates

Throughout the current Globe's reconstruction, various scholars have vehemently discussed (not argued) the project's architectural authenticity. For example, the original Globe could have had anywhere from six to twenty-four sides. What we would like to do here is provide a chronological summary of the issues, theories, ideas, and developments (like the Globe and Rose discoveries). This is, of course, assuming that the various scholars involved give us permission to reprint their articles, studies, and letters here.

The Rose Theatre, as determined by its found remains, turned out to be smaller than anticipated. It was about 90 feet across, whereas the new Globe is about 100 feet across. Ten feet might not seem like much of a difference, but reducing the diameter of a circle by ten percent will also greatly reduce its area.

This is Franklin J. Hildy's plan for an eighteen-sided Globe, as determined by his own calculations. His opinion was in the minority, and as construction on the new Globe began, the design was for 24 sides. However, the Globe and Rose discoveries did convince the Globe designers to reduce the number of sides to 20.

In the summer of 1987, just before the Globe's scheduled groundbreaking, amateur historian Martin Clout published an attack on the 24 sided Globe Theatre design, substituting a design of six sides. He based his theory on previously discredited interpretations of existing evidence, and was discounted by all concerned scholars.

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Questions? Email the Research Archive(globe@deans.umd.edu)
Updated on: 1 March 2002