 When Edward Alleyn laid out the Deed of Foundation of the , which was soon colloquially referred to as "Dulwich College", he stipulated that the Master and Warden should always be unmarried and of Alleyn's blood, and surname, and if the former was impossible then at least of Alleyn’s surname.Both he and his cousin Thomas, who became the first Master, met the criteria of being of Edward Alleyn's blood and surname, although he was married.Edward Alleyn named him in the Deed of Foundation as Warden, thus he was appointed on 13 September 1619.