Meeting of the Stratford-upon-Avon Corporation, with an order appointing the bailiff and chief alderman, Adrian Quiney and John Shakespeare, to act on the Corporation’s behalf according to “theire discrecions”

Under the 1553 charter of incorporation, Stratford-upon-Avon had been granted a certain degree of self-government, independent of the lord of the manor who had previously held authority over the town's affairs. However, the lord retained certain powers, including the right to continue to hold his manorial court and to approve the appointment of the bailiff, the vicar, and the schoolmaster. Since 1562, this lordship had been vested in Ambrose, earl of Warwick. Although his relationship with the Corporation was generally good, there were occasional disagreements. One such dispute occurred during John Shakespeare’s year as chief alderman.

At its meeting on January 18, shown here, the Corporation agreed that John Shakespeare and Adrian Quiney, the bailiff, should, in the upcoming year, “deale in the affayres concerning the commen wealthe of the borroughe ... according to theire discrecions.” The next order required the chamberlain to give the bailiff £6 in anticipation of an imminent visit to London. Neither of these entries refers specifically to an on-going dispute with Earl Ambrose but at the meeting on May 28, Quiney was further authorized to “deale in all causes now in varience between the Ryght Honorable Lord Ambrose earle of Warwycke,” and the Corporation agreed that he should be reimbursed for any expenses incurred (Minutes and Accounts, ii, pp. 63–4). This implies that John may not been directly involved in the legal proceedings but, as Quiney’s deputy, he would have been called on to take on additional responsibilities in Stratford during the bailiff’s absences in London.