at the restoration in 1660, shakespeare's plays were divided between the two newly licensed companies: the king's company of thomas killigrew and the duke's men of william davenant. the licensing system prevailed for two centuries; from 1660 to 1843, only two main companies regularly presented shakespeare in london. davenant, who had known early-stuart actors such as john lowin and joseph taylor, was the main figure establishing some continuity with earlier traditions; his advice to his actors is thus of interest as possible reflections of original practices.