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In Shakespeare there is no reference to a dance party as a "ball" since that meaning of the word did not arise until after Shakespeare's death. There are a few parties at which there is dancing in various Shakespeare plays, but few of them are "royal" (that is, hosted by or attended by a king or queen regnant, since the word "royal" means "associated with a king"). One such is in Act I of King Henry VIII, also known as "All Is True". The party is thrown by Cardinal Wolsey and one of the guests (The Lord Chamberlain) says to another (Lovell), "This night he makes a supper, and a great one, to many lords and ladies; there will be the beauty of the kingdom, I'll assure you." The Lord Chamberlain appears to know the guestlist; it was probably he who sent out the invitations, although the play does not say whether they were written or spoken.

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8y ago

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