Edmund Tilney

Edmund Tilney or Tylney (1536-1610) was a courtier best known now as Master of the Revels to Queen Elizabeth I and to King James I for the first few years of his reign. He was responsible for the censorship of drama in England. This included censorship of certain of the works of William Shakespeare. He was also instrumental in the development of English drama of the Elizabethan period. Tilney made the office of Master of the Revels into an institution. Despite his prominent office, little is actually known about his life.

Edmund Tilney in Ruled Britannia
Despite the fact that he attained the office of Master of Revels under Queen Elizabeth, Edmund Tilney retained the office even after the Spanish Armada succeeded in conquering England. When William Shakespeare began writing Boudicca, he had to keep Tilney in the dark. by continuing to write the play King Philip.

Tilney was never the wiser, personally meeting with Shakespeare to compliment him on King Philip, which he found to be excellent.

When Boudicca was performed, steps were taken by Lord Westmorland's Men to insure that none of Tilney's spies were able to leave the theater until the performance was over.

Literary Comment
Tilney's fate is unknown.