The following essay discusses Thomas Sackville and co-writer, Thomas Norton.

Thomas Sackville and Thomas Norton, joined by little else in their lives, collaborated in the writing of Gorboduc, the first important play in the history of English literature. Not only is it the first "regular" English tragedy (one that follows classical rules), but it is marked by innovations that were to become traditional. Both authors were members of the Inner Temple--one of the four Inns of Court in London--when they prepared the play for the 1562 Twelfth Night celebrations there. Both men were to serve the crown later in different ways; the play they wrote together may present, almost improbably, the only political philosophy they shared, and even on that they may not have agreed.

Born in Buckhurst, Sussex, into a wealthy family that had served the crown through many distinguished generations, Thomas Sackville was the only son of...