During Shakespeare's lifetime, this comedy was published in 1602 under the title “An Extremely Entertaining and Very Witty Comedy of Sir John Falstaff and the Merry Wives of Windsor.” Containing various funny antics of the Welsh knight Sir Hugh, Judge Shallow and his wise nephew Mr. Slender. With the empty boasting of Ensign Pistol and Corporal Nim. An essay by William Shakespeare. How it has been performed more than once by the servants of the honorable Lord Chamberlain, both in the presence of Her Majesty and in other places.” The comedy was created after the appearance of “Henry IV” (1597). According to legend, this was done at the personal request of Queen Elizabeth. The plot of the play echoes the Italian short stories from the collections “Thirteen Nights Merry Spent” by Straparolla (1550–1553) and “The Sheep’s Head” by Giovanni Fiorentino (1378). In addition, some similar details are contained in numerous plays of similar themes, which were widely staged during the 14th–16th centuries in France and England.