This site has been around for more than 10 years so it is a bit clunky. There is a gazetteer of places and an index of literary examples, which link to detailed records.

Under Tags ‘The Play’ has posts about the play by John Fletcher and Philip Massinger, and the history of performances, with offshoots of that published by the rogue Francis Kirkman, and the afterlife of Clause, King of the Beggars.

The Tag ‘Speculations’ has explorations of the way the phrase was distributed, explanations, dead ends and other related information, like why the OED is wrong.

This isn’t a linear narrative, as this attempt to map the project shows. There is more about how to use the site here. If you are looking for something specific use Search. But you are welcome to just follow where it takes you; that’s what I did.

And if you know more, or better, or just want to say something please do. I hope you find something of interest.