During Shakespeare's lifetime, this comedy was published in 1602 under the title "Extremely amusing and very witty comedy about Sir John Falstaff and Windsor ridiculers . Containing various amusing antics of the Welsh knight Sir Hugh, Judge Shellow, and his wise nephew Mr. Slender With the empty boast of Ensign Pistol and Corporal Nim. Works by William Shakespeare . As it was repeatedly performed by the servants of the Right Honourable Lord Chamberlain both in the presence of Her Majesty, and elsewhere." 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 Italian novels from the collections “Thirteen Fun Nights” by Straparolla (1550-1553) and “Sheep’s Head” by Giovanni Fiorentino (1378) . In addition, some similar details are contained in numerous plays of similar subjects, which were widely staged during the XIV-XVI centuries in France and England.