Question

Read the excerpt from The Time Traveler's Guide to Elizabethan England.

In their stead, people increasingly choose to see secular plays on historical and moral themes. These are performed up and down the country by theater companies called after lords, for example "Lord Sussex’s Men,” "Lord Strange’s Men,” "the Lord Admiral’s Men,” and "Lord Leicester’s Men.” The reason for these names is that, while unattached actors are liable to be arrested for vagrancy, the Act of 1572 specifically excludes players properly authorized by lords from being considered vagabonds.

Which factor directly influenced the names of the theater companies?

the Act of 1572
the play Lord Sussex’s Men
the historical and moral themes
the leading actors

Answer 1

The Act of 1572 — it exempted players authorized by lords from being labeled vagabonds, so companies named themselves after their noble patrons.