The Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship holds that Edward de Vere, 17th

Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays and poems traditionally attributed to William
Shakespeare. Though most literary scholars reject all alternative authorship
candidates, including Oxford, popular interest in the Oxfordian theory continues.
Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford (12 April 1550 24 June 1604), was an English
peer and courtier of the Elizabethan era. a company of musicians, and sponsored
performances by tumblers, acrobats and performing animals.[109] Oxford's Men
toured the provinces during 1580-87. Sometime after November 1583, Oxford bought
a sublease of the premises used by the boy companies in the Blackfriars, and then
gave it to his secretary, the writer John Lyly. Lyly installed Henry Evans, a Welsh
scrivener and theatrical affectionado, as the manager of the new company of
Oxford's Boys, composed of the Children of the Chapel and the Children of Paul's,
and turned his
talents to play
writing until the
end of June,
1584, when the
original
playhouse lease
was voided by its
owner.