Shakespeare's theatre company was known as the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which became one of the most prominent theatrical companies in Elizabethan England. Founded around 1594, the troupe performed many of Shakespeare's plays, including some of the most famous such as "Hamlet" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream." In 1603, after King James I ascended to the throne, the company was renamed the King's Men, reflecting its royal patronage. Shakespeare was not only a playwright for the company but also a shareholder, and the group's success greatly contributed to his prominence in the literary world.