1662 in literature
literature-related events during 1662
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1662.
Events
February 15 – The first performance of Sir William Davenant's The Law Against Lovers – the first Restoration adaptation of Shakespeare, consisting of an amalgam of Measure for Measure and Much Ado About Nothing – is given by the Duke's Company at its new theater in Lincoln's Inn Fields, London.
September 29 – Samuel Pepys in his diary calls the King's Company production of A Midsummer Night's Dream in London "the most insipid, ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life."
October 18 – John Ogilby, Master of the Revels in Ireland, opens the first Theatre Royal, Dublin, in Smock Alley.
December 26 – The première of Molière's comedy The School for Wives (L'École des femmes) is held at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal (rue Saint-Honoré) in Paris.
unknown dates
Two autos sacramentales by Pedro Calderón de la Barca – Las órdenes militares and Mística y real Babilonia – are the subject of an inquiry by the Spanish Inquisition. The former is censured and its manuscript copies confiscated, and remains condemned until 1671.
The Parliament of England passes the first Printing Act of the Restoration era, the Licensing of the Press Act, which restricts London printing to a total of 24 printing houses, each with no more than three presses and three apprentices. Books printed abroad are banned. Roger L'Estrange is granted a warrant to seize seditious books or pamphlets.
New books
Prose
Church of England – 1662 Book of Common Prayer
Sarah Blackborow – The Oppressed Prisoners' Complaint
Margaret Cavendish – Orations of Diverse Persons
Cyrano de Bergerac (posthumous) – États et Empires du Soleil (The States and Empires of the Sun)
Franciscus van den Enden – Kort Verhael van Nieuw-Nederland (Brief Account of New Netherland)
John Evelyn – Sculptura: or The history, and art of chalcography and engraving in copper...
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