The Countess of Salisbury

About the show

The Countess of Salisbury is a 1767 tragedy by Hall Hartson. It is inspired by the 1762 novel Longsword by Irish writer Thomas Leland, who had been Hartson's tutor. It is based on the life of William Longespée, 3rd Earl of Salisbury, son of Henry II of England, and his wife Ela of Salisbury, 3rd Countess of Salisbury. The original Haymarket cast included Spranger Barry as Alwin, Thomas Barry as Raymond, Ann Dancer as Countess, John Sowdon as Grey, John Palmer as Morton and John Bannister as Sir Ardolf.