On May 30 , 1593 , writer Christopher Marlowe arrived at a lodging sign of the zodiac for drinks with ally and never emerged . At least , not alive .
Legend has it that Marlowe and a few conversance spent the day at the lodgment house , where they “ pass off the time together , ” walked in the garden , and “ in ship’s company dined,”accordingto the report found in the Public Record Office . When the time came to pay up , an argument erupted , and the other two witnesses claim Marlowe pull out Ingram Frizer ’s knife first . That ’s when Ingram Frizer took back control condition of his dagger , and , he claimed , in ego - defence , plunged it into Marlowe ’s head just above his right center . It pierced his wit and the author died in a flash .
At first glance , it is likely a bar fight , a stupid disagreement escalated to an irrational level by a long mean solar day of drink . But modern - day scholars are n’t so certain that ’s what really happened . Many believe that Marlowe ’s death was really an assassination , range by no less than Queen Elizabeth I herself .
Marlowe had been produce quite outspoken about his belief in atheism , and evidently used his way with quarrel to convince others . “ Into every Company he Cometh he carry man to Atheism , willing them not to be afeared of bugbears and hobgoblins , and perfectly scorning both God and his parson , ” one informantsaid . This was obviously a big faux pas in Elizabethan England , and the world-beater herself gave orders to shut Marlowe up—“prosecute it to the full , ” she ordered . Adding credence to this possibility is that ElizabethpardonedMarlowe ’s murderer about four weeks later .
Queen Elizabeth I , however , is far from the only person who may have wanted Kit Marlowe out of the picture . Justa fewof the mistrust assassin backers include Sir Walter Raleigh , who was worried about being implicated during Marlowe ’s inquisition ; Sir Robert Cecil , who believed Marlowe ’s plays contained Catholic propaganda , and even Audrey Walsingham , whose husband employed Marlowe . It ’s said she was covetous of her husband ’s relationship with the dramatist .
