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Later evidence (from 1702 and 1709) suggest that Shakespeare wrote this play at request of Queen Elizabeth, who asked the playwright to pen a play showing Falstaff inlove.
Since the Queen asked for the play to be completed in three weeks, some critics believe that very likely Shakespeare reworked an old play (that is nowlost).
Historical records indicate the existence of a play (that has not survived) called Jealous Company produced in 1592 or 1593. The language of Falstaff in Merry Wives follows pattern of Italian popular comedy (which Jealous Company was based on) – similar tofabliaux.
More evidence exists for the horse-stealing scene. Count Mompelgart, who would become aGerman Duke in 1593, was a guest at Windsor Castle for a few days in 1592. He became an annoyance and subject of ridicule to the Queen because he frequently requested to become a Knight of the Garter.
Il Pecorone by Giovanni Fiorentino, a prose story collection, contains a version of the Ford/Falstaff subplot.
