Rose Theatre baluster

Turned oak baluster with signs of damage. This baluster was found amongst demolition debris during the excavations of the Rose Theatre on Bankside. It is probably one of the 48 balusters ordered by the Rose’s owner, Philip Henslowe, in 1592 when the northern part of the playhouse was remodelled. It is likely that these balusters formed the railings of the three tiers of the galleries from which the wealthier members of the audience watched the plays. The Rose was first built in 1587 and was one of four purpose-built playhouses on the south bank of the Thames in London (the others were the Globe, the Hope and the Swan). It was demolished in 1606. Archaeologists discovered the remains of the Rose in 1988. Reference: Bowsher, J. & Miller, P. (2009), 'The Rose and the Globe - playhouses of Shakespeare's Bankside, Southwark. Excavations 1988-90’, MOLA Monograph 48.