Ralph Brooke's compilation of arms granted by William Dethick, with list including Shakespeare's name

In 1602, the herald Ralph Brooke challenged 23 coats of arms granted by William Dethick, including the arms originally granted to Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, and now belonging to William Shakespeare. Brooke argued that these coats of arms were granted to unworthy or deceased individuals, or, in the case of Shakespeare, that they too closely resembled the ancient arms of another family. Dethick defended Shakespeare’s coat of arms by pointing out their unique features and John Shakespeare’s civic career and marriage into the Arden family. The outcome is not recorded, but the dispute appears to have been resolved in favor of Dethick.  

In this manuscript, Ralph Brooke lavishly illustrates arms which he believes were incorrectly granted by William Dethick to plasterers, embroiderers, stocking-sellers, soapmakers, fishmongers, and foreigners, among others. He makes additional notes at the beginning and end of the volume, including a list of 23 names in the upper left corner of the first page. Shakespeare’s name is fourth on the list. The list forms the basis for the scroll that Brooke sent to Queen Elizabeth.