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Family, legal & property records

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An abundance of administrative documents provide important details of Shakespeare's economic and social status. Shakespeare divided his time between his theatrical career in London, and business and personal matters in Stratford-upon-Avon, the town where he was born, grew up, and raised three children with his wife Anne: Hamnet (who died when he was 11), Judith, and Susanna. Documents from Stratford-upon-Avon's corporate archives illustrate his Stratfordian connections and the constant balancing of debt and credit among its more prominent citizens. The parish register of Holy Trinity Church records the baptisms, marriages, and burials of members of his family. Paperwork created by various courts provide details relating to real estate transactions, taxes, legal cases, and his social network at the time of his death. Records preserved by the College of Arms chronicle his father's application for a coat of arms in 1596 and the subsequent debate over its validity. Various other legal and financial records which mention Shakespeare or his family reflect the work flows of a wide range of highly organized administrative bodies in early modern England. 

Shakespeare's personal papers do not survive, which is frustrating but not surprising. In general, personal papers only survive if they are absorbed into institutional archives or if they suffered from benign neglect in the muniment rooms of noble houses. Shakespeare's last direct descendant died in 1670, at which point his house, New Place, and its belongings, was sold. It wasn't until the 18th century that people began to value and romanticize the manuscripts of famous authors.

Legal and financial
Personal property
Shakespeare's family

All Documents

June 7, 1609
Shakespeare sues John Addenbrooke: writ to bring Addenbrooke’s surety, Thomas Hornby to court, following Addenbrooke’s failure to give satisfaction
On August 17, 1608, William Shakespeare (or his family or agents acting on his behalf) began an action in the Stratford court of record to recover a debt of £6 from John Addenbrooke. The case dragged on until at least June 7, 1609.
ca. 1609
An endorsement, added between 1603 and 1616 to a deed of 1572, defines the eastern boundary of William Shakespeare’s New Place property
A messy note, included on the back of a 1572 lease, informs us of the extent of Shakespeare’s property at New Place. Shakespeare purchased New Place in 1597, which stood on the corner of Chapel Street and Chapel Lane.
July 20, 1609
A deed of conveyance of a house in Henley Street describes William Shakespeare’s house (now the Birthplace) as adjoining it on the west
John Shakespeare’s property in Henley Street, inherited by his son William in 1601, and now known as the Birthplace, had a frontage of about 90 feet. When an urban property changed hands, its boundaries were often defined by reference to neighboring properties.
1610
The Combes sell Shakespeare arable land in old Stratford: fine entered into the Court of Common Pleas, Feet of Fines, to confirm Shakespeare's title.
SHAKESPEARE DOCUMENTED IS STILL GROWING! Descriptive content and transcriptions will continue to be added, updated and expanded. Check back for regular updates!
March 5, 1610
Gilbert Shakespeare, William Shakespeare’s younger brother, witnesses a Stratford-upon-Avon deed
On March 5, 1610 Gilbert Shakespeare, one of William Shakespeare’s younger brothers, witnessed the deed shown here as a Stratford resident. His signature, in a neat hand, indicates a sound education probably provided at the town’s grammar school.
April 1, 1610
Conveyance to Bartholomew Hathaway, William Shakespeare’s brother-in-law, of the Hathaway estate at Shottery, including Anne Hathaway’s Cottage
The Hathaway family of Shottery can be traced back to the late fifteenth century. The extent of their land holdings is first documented in a survey of 1556 which records that John Hathaway held them of the lord of the manor by copy of court roll, dated April 20, 1543, for an annual rent of 33s.
ca. Easter 1610 - Hilary 1611
The Combes sell Shakespeare arable land in old Stratford: Concord recording the confirmation to Shakespeare by William and John Combe of a freehold in Old Stratford, 1 of 2
SHAKESPEARE DOCUMENTED IS STILL GROWING! Descriptive content and transcriptions will continue to be added, updated and expanded. Check back for regular updates!
December 4, 1611
Judith Shakespeare, William Shakespeare’s daughter, witnesses "by mark" a deed of conveyance
On December 4, 1611, by the deed shown here, the wealthy widow, Elizabeth Quiney, and her eldest son, Adrian Quiney, sold a sizeable house in Wood Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, to William Mountford. The deed has three tags with seals attached (shown here in the first image).
September 11, 1611
William Shakespeare is listed as a potential subscriber towards the cost of prosecuting a bill in Parliament for the better maintenance of the highways
On September 11, 1611, the Stratford Corporation drafted a list of seventy-two burgesses who could be approached to subscribe “towardes the Charge of prosecutyng the Bill in the parliament for the better Repayre of the highe Waies and amendinge divers defectes in the Statutes alredy made.&r
February 1611
William Combe’s answer to the complaint of Richard Lane, William Shakespeare and Thomas Green that, as holding a leasehold interest in a portion of the Stratford tithes, he should contribute to an annual payment to Henry Barker
Late in 1610 Richard Lane, William Shakespeare and Thomas Greene had filed a complaint in Chancery seeking to ensure that all those with interests in property (principally the Stratford tithes) formerly belonging to the Stratford College should be required to contribute to

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