FOOTNOTES:

SWAN THEATRE (BY DR. GAIDERTY.)SWAN THEATRE (BY DR. GAIDERTY.)To face p. 214.

The Ardens appeared also early in Essex. At the Conqueror's Survey, Earl Eustace of Boulogne owned Horndon-on-the-Hill,[544]but the next owners were Ardernes, who built Ardern Hall. In 1122 Thomas Ardern and his son Thomas gave to the monks of Bermondsey the tithe of the corn in their lordship of Horndon. Sir Ralph de Ardern, of Horndon, was Sheriff of Essex, 39 and 40 Henry III.[545]His seal bore on a shield a fesse chequy between two roundels.[546]Sir Thomas de Arderne, the son of Ralph, used "a seal, bearing two trumpets, mouthpieces in base, between nine crosses crosslet in fesse, three and three, in pale S. Thome de Arderne."[547]John Lovetot, who died in 1295, held land of him in Horndon, by the service of one rose of yearly rent; and John de Arderne granted lands in Rochford 33 Edward I.[548]The manor of Walkefares, in Clavering, Essex, belonged to Walter Arden some time previous to 1340.[549]

The property of Timothy Arden, Somerset, was administered 1631.[550]

There was an Inquisition Post Mortem of William de Arderne, of Chelesworthy Manor, Devon, in 56 Henry III. (39). Another of Adam de Ardern, 53 Henry III. (35), owner of Colverden, Walesworth, and Berton juxta Gloucester.

In 1 Edward VI. Inquisition Post Mortem of William Arden, Wig, the administration of the goods ofRichard Arden, of Worcester, was granted his wife Margaret, 1636 (Admins., 1636-38, f. 116, Worcester).

William Arden, parson, of Wennington, in 1582, left small legacies to his sister-in-law, Bridget Doulton, and all the rest to his two daughters, Alice Arden, who married a Stevenson, and Margaret Arden.[551]

In the Visitation of the Cheshire Ardens, it is stated that from Thomas, son of Ralph and brother of John, the Leicestershire Ardens are descended.[552]

In the great "History of Leicestershire," edited by Nichols, there are a few notices of the name, and these chiefly of the Warwickshire Ardens, who held property in the shire. Baldwin Freville owned certain lands at Ratcliffe held by Roger de Ardern 1387.[553]Sir Robert of Park Hall was Sheriff of Warwickshire and Leicestershire 16 Henry VI.

"Thomas Ferrars holds of the heirs of Roger Arden the third part of the feod of Radcliffe, Leicestershire," 37 Henry VI., Inquis. P. M. (34).

Simon de Ardern and Hugo de Arderne were priests 1387.[554]

In Bedford, the earliest entry I have found is the record of lands of Sir Thomas de Arderne, "utlagatus pro feloniis et transgressionibus," Rokesden Manor and Bereford Cottage in Bedfordshire, 21 Edward III. (Inquis. P. M. 60).

THE BEAR GARDEN AND HOPE THEATRETHE BEAR GARDEN AND HOPE THEATRE

SWAN THEATRE.SWAN THEATRE.To face p. 216.

William Ardern of Struton, in Oskellyswade, co. Beds, Clerk of the Market to the King's household, Crest a boar quarterly, or and az., granted by Barker (Stowe, 692; "Misc. Gen. et Her.," Harwood, New Series, xii. 13).[555]A William Ardern wrote to Cromwell, from Hawnes, May 27, 1535, on behalf of Mr.Franklyn, cited before my Lord of Lincoln (Letters and Papers Henry VIII., Gairdner). Can these be the same? Compare pp. 171, 172, 188 and notes.

There was an Inquisition Post Mortem on the property of Isabel Arden, Ideot, Bedfordshire, 10 Elizabeth.

The manor of Lyesnes, in Kent, was released to Thomas Ardern in 37 Henry VIII.[556]There are many notices of the Kent Ardens in Hasted's "History of Kent." But perhaps public attention was drawn most to the member of the family who was murdered.[557]The story is closely followed in the "Tragedy of Arden of Feversham," by some attributed to Shakespeare, though with little probability.

Burke[558]gives many other branches; as, for instance, Arden of Sunbury Park, Middlesex, and Rickmansworth Park, Herts; arms: Ermine, two barrulets compony or and azure, in chief three boars' heads erased of the last, armed of the second, langued gu.

Ardens of East Burnham, Bucks, same arms. Arden of Blackden Hall, co. Chester, Ermine, a fesse chequy or and az.; same crest as the Park Hall arms, but with different motto.

Various Ardens drifted to London, but there seems to have been one business family settled there from early times. Thomas of Plumstede left rents and a cellar, called Drynkwater Taverne, in the parish of St. Magnus, to John Arderne, fishmonger, September 26, 1361.[559]John Hanhampsted left the reversion of tenements held for life by John Arderne, Esquire, in the parish of St. Mary Aldermanchurch, May 4, 1424.[560]Anadministration of goods of John Arderne, of St. Sepulchre's, was granted February 15, 1508.[561]

In May, 1534, a pardon was granted John Appowell for abetting John Done, a thief, who stole a gown and a piece of cloth belonging to Thomas Ardrenne from the house of Thomas Chief, May, 1534.[562]

Thomas Arden, September 29, 1549, citizen and clothworker, left all his goods to Agnes, his wife; will proved January 27, 1549.[563]

Robert Arden, of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, vintner, and Agnes Mather of the same, were licensed to be married at any church in the jurisdiction of Westminster, November 27, 1568.[564]

A Robert Arden was assistant to the Clerk of the Accatory, 1577.[565]

Several deliveries to him of Government victuals are noted in State Papers, 1594-97.

I do not know whether or not he is the Robert Arden who writes a letter to the Government about the composition of ling and cod from the Iceland fisheries, landed in Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, September 14, 1593, a letter interesting as showing the relative trade of the towns at that date.[566]

At St. Saviour's, Southwark, Robert Stillard and Bridget Arden were married August 21, 1618.[567]

Among marriage licenses[568]are those of Richard Bromfield and Jane Arden, February 14, 1564; John Arden and Dorothy Hazard, of the city of Westminster, June 16, 1639;[569]Hugh Phillips, gent., of St. Margaret's,Westminster, and Elizabeth Arden, of same, November 17, 1641;[570]Henry Arden, of Chelmsford, Essex, gent., widower, and Mary Boosie, of Writtle, spinster, at St. Magnus the Martyr, London, February 22, 1664;[571]Thomas Arden, of the city of Westminster, Esq., to Theodosia Long, October 10, 1664; William Ardern, junior, gent., Bach., of St. Martin's, Ludgate, and Mrs. Margaret Smith, of Great Wigborough, Essex, widow, to be married there, March 21, 1665-66;[572]John Arden, of St. James's, Westminster, widower, aged about fifty, and Mrs. Elizabeth Wright, spinster, twenty-two, January 12, 1687-88.

Gabriel Josselyn, gent., of St. Michael, Bassinghall,[573]and Elizabeth, daughter of —— Arden of same, deceased, December 1, 1587.

John Brown, of St. Olave's, Hart Street, London, haberdasher, and Anne Arden, of St. Andrew's,[574]Holborn, widow of John Ardern, Fletcher, February 10, 1595.

The will of Robert Arden, gent., Deptford, was proved 1579.[575]

An Alexander Arderne, of Deptford, wished to be buried in the churchyard beside the hawthorn-tree; he had a wife, Elizabeth, a brother-in-law, William Inson, and no children, February 26, 1639.[576]Administration of the goods of James Arden, London, was granted his wife Anne,[577]1639. Thomas le Barber, from Peter de Arderne, held tenements in the parish of St. Clements Danes.[578]Alicia Arderne, who was wife of Richard Hampton, left tenements in the parish of St. Mary in the Strand and in the parish of St. Clement's Danes, 1466.

It seems wiser to group a set of records not generally accessible to students, which, though preserved in London, concern the Ardens of many branches—I mean a set of deeds, charters, and conveyances preserved among the Guildhall Records of London:

"Johanna Arden, wife of Roger de Arden, tailor, 1295. Roll 24."Henry de Arderne,A.D.1305. Roll 34 (35)."Cecilia, wife of Henry de Arderne, 1307. Roll 36 (26)."Agnes, wife of William de Arderne, 1307...."Henry, son of William de Arderne...."John, son of William de Arderne, 1337 and 1345."Hugh de Arderne, 1321. Roll 50 (5);A.D.1342. Roll 70 (2)."Alice, wife of Hugh de Arderne ... Johanna, wife of ..."Giles de Arderne, 1351. Roll 80 (29)."John Arden, called Mordon, Stockfishmonger, 1363. Roll 91 (87) (93); also 1371, 1373, 1374, 1377."Margaret, wife of John, called Mordon...."Isabella, wife of Richard Arden, and widow of John Melbourne, co. Surrey, 1392. Roll 121 (143)."Alice, wife of Thomas de Arden, Brewer, 1371. Roll 99 (83)."... 1372. Roll 100 (54) (55), 1373, 1376; 104 (145)."Alice, widow of Richard de Arderne, 1403. Roll 131 (61)."John Arden, Esq., 1413. Roll 141 (25-36); 1421 (Roll 149)."... 1426. Roll 154 (50); 1457, Roll 185 (32)."Margaret, wife of John Arden, gent., 1413 and 1421; same Rolls."Peter Ardern, chief Baron of the Exchequer, 1459. Roll 188 (37)."Thomas Arden, clerk, 1466. Roll 196 (17)."John Arden, of Creechurch, merchant tailor, 1625. Roll 302 (15)."Francis Arden, son of Richard, Cit. and Loriner, of London, 1646, Apprentice."

The Royalist Composition Papers,[579]1644-57, mention as "Delinquents," "Mr. Arden," "John," "Robert" is mentioned twenty-three times, "Thomas," "Ann," "Elizabeth," "Godetha," "Mary," "Mrs. Arden," "John and Mary Arderne." And many other allusions could be added to the list of references to the various members of this distinguished family.

In speaking of the Ardens of Victoria, Burke[580]disclaims their right to arms, but nevertheless derives them from Humphrey Arden. He says: "The first recorded ancestor, Humphrey Arden, of Longcroft, co. Stafford, died in 1705, and so far from being able to show descent from Siward, they are unable even to prove connection with the extinct family of Arden of Park Hall."

Here Burke is clearly in the wrong. If they can prove their descent from Humphrey of Longcroft, they can through him claim descent from the Ardens of Park Hall and from Siward, as can be seen from all pedigrees.

FOOTNOTES:[533]Ashmolean MS., 829, iii., and 1434, i.; also Sententiæ, 1437, Art. xv., alluded to in Gerard's "Herbal," 657.[534]Harl. Chart., 45, D. 9.[535]23 Moone, proved May 26, 1501.[536]"Misc. Gen. et Her.," N. S., iv. 21; "Yorksh. Archæo. Journ.," xi. 12.[537]Burton's "Monasticon Eboracense," p. 250.[538]Fuller's "Worthies of Yorkshire."[539]Letters and Papers Henry VIII., 1524,et seq., Gairdner.[540]Pat. 9 Henry VIII., p. 1, m. 14.[541]Add. Chart. 8069. See also Blomfield's "Hist. of Norfolk," viii. 533.[542]Peter Arden, son and heir of John, ob. May 20, 21 Henry VIII.; Inq. at Poklyngton, York. Ralph Arden, brother and heir of Peter, then aged eighteen.[543]Burton's "Monasticon Eboracense," p. 90.[544]Morant's "History of Essex," i. 216.[545]Fuller's "Worthies of Essex," 341.[546]Harl. Charters, 45, D. 8, Brit. Mus. See also p. 193.[547]Add Chart., 19,967.[548]Inquis. Post. Mort., 33 Edward I., 117.[549]Morant's "Essex," i. 148. John Arderne was Vicar of Harwich Chapel, March 23, 1388. Will Arderne, Vicar of Tolleshunt Darcy, April 4, 1676.[550]Administrations, Somerset, f. 4, 1631-33.[551]Consistory Court, f. 162, Sperin, and 291, Bullock.[552]Visitation of Cheshire.[553]"History of Leicester," iv. 939.[554]Ibid., 19.[555]This William Arden left a son, Thomas, who had no heirs ("Grants and Certificates of Arms,"Genealogist, New Series, xiii.).[556]Originalia et Memoranda on the Lord Treasurer's side of the Exchequer.[557]"Receyved of Mr. Arden for a payer of wheels and the hedd of an old pageant, 2s. 8d. 1504." "Payd. For the charges of brenning Mrs. Arden, and the execution of George Bradshaw, 43s."—Chamberlain's Accounts, City of Canterbury, 1550-1.[558]Burke's "General Armory."[559]Wills of the Court of Hustings, ii., p. 63.[560]Ibid.[561]Commissary Court Admins., 1508.[562]Papers of Henry VIII., P.R.O.[563]31aClyffe, Commissary Court Wills.[564]Chester's "Marriage Licenses of Bishop of London."[565]State Papers, Dom. Ser., Eliz., cxx. 34.[566]Brit. Mus., Add. MS., 34,729.[567]Registers of St. Saviour's, Southwark.[568]"Marriage Licenses of Dean of Westminster," Harl. Publ.[569]Ibid.[570]"Marriage Licenses of Dean of Westminster," Harl. Pub.[571]Ibid.[572]Ibid.[573]Chester's "Marriage Licenses."[574]Ibid.[575]35 Bakou.[576]5 Stevenson, Somerset House.[577]Administrations, 1639, f. 36, Somerset House.[578]Inquis. P.M., 1 Edward III. (12).[579]See Index Library (12).[580]Burke's "Colonial Gentry,"Genealogist, New Series, xiii.

[533]Ashmolean MS., 829, iii., and 1434, i.; also Sententiæ, 1437, Art. xv., alluded to in Gerard's "Herbal," 657.

[534]Harl. Chart., 45, D. 9.

[535]23 Moone, proved May 26, 1501.

[536]"Misc. Gen. et Her.," N. S., iv. 21; "Yorksh. Archæo. Journ.," xi. 12.

[537]Burton's "Monasticon Eboracense," p. 250.

[538]Fuller's "Worthies of Yorkshire."

[539]Letters and Papers Henry VIII., 1524,et seq., Gairdner.

[540]Pat. 9 Henry VIII., p. 1, m. 14.

[541]Add. Chart. 8069. See also Blomfield's "Hist. of Norfolk," viii. 533.

[542]Peter Arden, son and heir of John, ob. May 20, 21 Henry VIII.; Inq. at Poklyngton, York. Ralph Arden, brother and heir of Peter, then aged eighteen.

[543]Burton's "Monasticon Eboracense," p. 90.

[544]Morant's "History of Essex," i. 216.

[545]Fuller's "Worthies of Essex," 341.

[546]Harl. Charters, 45, D. 8, Brit. Mus. See also p. 193.

[547]Add Chart., 19,967.

[548]Inquis. Post. Mort., 33 Edward I., 117.

[549]Morant's "Essex," i. 148. John Arderne was Vicar of Harwich Chapel, March 23, 1388. Will Arderne, Vicar of Tolleshunt Darcy, April 4, 1676.

[550]Administrations, Somerset, f. 4, 1631-33.

[551]Consistory Court, f. 162, Sperin, and 291, Bullock.

[552]Visitation of Cheshire.

[553]"History of Leicester," iv. 939.

[554]Ibid., 19.

[555]This William Arden left a son, Thomas, who had no heirs ("Grants and Certificates of Arms,"Genealogist, New Series, xiii.).

[556]Originalia et Memoranda on the Lord Treasurer's side of the Exchequer.

[557]"Receyved of Mr. Arden for a payer of wheels and the hedd of an old pageant, 2s. 8d. 1504." "Payd. For the charges of brenning Mrs. Arden, and the execution of George Bradshaw, 43s."—Chamberlain's Accounts, City of Canterbury, 1550-1.

[558]Burke's "General Armory."

[559]Wills of the Court of Hustings, ii., p. 63.

[560]Ibid.

[561]Commissary Court Admins., 1508.

[562]Papers of Henry VIII., P.R.O.

[563]31aClyffe, Commissary Court Wills.

[564]Chester's "Marriage Licenses of Bishop of London."

[565]State Papers, Dom. Ser., Eliz., cxx. 34.

[566]Brit. Mus., Add. MS., 34,729.

[567]Registers of St. Saviour's, Southwark.

[568]"Marriage Licenses of Dean of Westminster," Harl. Publ.

[569]Ibid.

[570]"Marriage Licenses of Dean of Westminster," Harl. Pub.

[571]Ibid.

[572]Ibid.

[573]Chester's "Marriage Licenses."

[574]Ibid.

[575]35 Bakou.

[576]5 Stevenson, Somerset House.

[577]Administrations, 1639, f. 36, Somerset House.

[578]Inquis. P.M., 1 Edward III. (12).

[579]See Index Library (12).

[580]Burke's "Colonial Gentry,"Genealogist, New Series, xiii.

Page 2.—Mary, Countess of Southampton, was the mother of Shakespeare's patron, the Earl of Southampton, to whom he dedicated "Venus and Adonis" in 1593, and "The Rape of Lucrece" in 1594. In both of these poems, probably corrected by himself, his name is speltShakespeare. In 1594 the Countess married Sir Thomas Henneage, the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household, and that same year Shakespeare was invited to act at Court. Sir Thomas died the following year, after a lingering illness, and his widow had to superintend the making up of his official books, and check the bills. And thus it happened that it was she who introduced thefirst official record of Shakespeare's name, and probably spelt it correctly, according to the contemporary usage.

Page 5.—Mr. Nanson, the town clerk of Carlisle, has in his possession the deed which concerns the Shakesperes of Penrith, 21 Richard II.

Page 22.—Shakespeare's shield bore an ordinarycantingpattern, or one that was based upon the supposed meaning of the name. But the use of the falcon in the crest requires explanation. French says: "The falcon was one of the badges of Edward IV., father of Henry VII.'s Queen Elizabeth. No person would venture to adopt this without special favour" ("Shakespeareana Genealogica," p. 523). There is something keenly suggestive of expected objections in the motto, "Non sanz droict." Some day, perhaps, it may be discovered why this crest and motto were assumed.

Page 27.—Aston Cantlow, with the castle of Abergavenny, was settled on Sir William de Beauchamp, second son of Thomas, Earl of Warwick, 12 Henry IV. It descended to his son, Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Worcester, whose daughter Elizabeth married Sir Edmund Neville, and brought it to him (Dugdale's "Warwickshire").

Page 27.—Another opinion of the derivation of Thomas Arden has been discussed. It has been supposed possible that he might have been descended from Thomas Arden of Leicestershire, son of Ralph Arden of Alvanley, by his wife Catharine, daughter of Sir William Stanley, of Hooton. This would account for the grant of the Cheshire arms, and would not thrust him out of the Arden pedigree; but the theory is not satisfactory on other grounds. One main objection is that there was no known Thomas of suitable date in that family. But in the Park Hall family there was a Thomas known to be alive during the period between 1502 and 1526, who hasnever been traced, if he did not go to Aston Cantlow.Members of the Arden family accept him as the missing brother of Sir John, and believe that it was through a careless mistake of the heralds that the fesse chequy was struck out, and that the Shakespeares resented the substitution of another in place of the arms to which they had a right, and never accepted the grant. During the discussion John Shakespeare died.

Page 27.—The pedigrees of those associated with the Ardens are worth noting, and their wills might suggest connections.

Page 32.—It would be interesting to find and group the Warwickshire Ardens who bore the three cross-crosslets and the chief or, for it has never been done.

Page 35.—Thomas Arden was presented for owing suit of Court in 1526, 1529, 1531. (See Portfolio 207, Court Rolls, No. 88.)

Page 36.—Thomas and Robert Arden's purchase at Snitterfield had been witnessed by John Wagstaff,[581]Richard Rushby, of Snitterfield, Richard Atkins, of Wilmecote, John Alcokkes, of Newenham. The overseers of Robert Arden's will were Adam Palmer,[582]of Wilmecote, Hugh Porter,[583]of Snitterfield, and John Skerlett, of Wilmecote; the witnesses, Sir William Bouton Curett, Adam Palmer, John Scarlet, Thomas Jenkes, William Pitt. Adam Palmer was overseer of Mrs. Agnes Arden's will, in conjunction with George Gibbes, who had, later, the lease of Asbies from the Shakespeares at the time of its mortgage to Lambert.

Page 45.—A Thomas Mayo had a seat in the Church of St. Nicholas, Warwick, 1595; an Elizabeth Mayo was buried there in 1596; and Henry Maio in 1601. (See Churchwarden's Accounts of St. Nicholas, Warwick, edited by Mr. Richard Savage.) The Webbes of Snitterfield appear among the gentry of the country in 1580 (State Papers, Domestic Series, Eliz., c. xxxvii. 68).

Page 51.—It is difficult to imagine John Shakespeare making up the bills for the other Chamberlains, or conducting so many financial responsibilities, if he was unable to read and write, as well as reckon well—as Halliwell-Phillipps says he was.

Page 52.—The goods of Richard Shakespeare were prised at £35 17s., and the bond for their just administration entered into by John Shakespeare and Thomas Nicols, of £100, seems disproportionably large, unless there were some unusually heavy responsibilities attached. John Shakespeare may very well have been termed a farmer if he had been brought up as one, and if he had been superintending his father's farm at the time of his death. In the description of a neighbouring farm, Ingon is mentioned as "now or late in the occupation of John Shaxspere or his assignes." It is quite possible that he was the responsible farmer, and thatHenry his brother was his "assigne." Ingon, though in the parish of Hampton-on-Avon, was very near Snitterfield.

Page 56.—Henry Shakespeare probably quarrelled with Mr. Cornwall, the second husband of Margaret Arden, about the resettlement of Snitterfield farm, and went to reside at Ingon, though taken in his brother's name. The Court Rolls show that he was "contumaceous" in not paying tithes, May 22, 1582, and was "excommunicated." "Of Henry Shaxper, for not labouring with teems for the amending of the Queen's Highway, 2/6." "Of Henry Shaxper for having a dich between Redd Hill and Burmans in decay for want of repair, Oct. 22nd, 1596." Probably the man was ill and dying then. He was buried two months later.

Page 58.—The petition of the burgesses of Stratford-on-Avon for relief of burdens shows that the borough had fallen into decay through the decline in the wool trade. From this general depression John Shakespeare probably suffered.

Page 61.—"The Book of John Fisher of Warwick" shows that the master of the Grammar School there had a salary of £10 a year. Seeing that the master of Stratford-on-Avon Grammar School had £20 a year, it is probable that the burgesses had a better selection of scholars as candidates.

Page 62.—It is too often forgotten that Anne Hathaway lost her father in the summer of 1582. It is probable that the betrothal would therefore be a quiet one. It is also more than likely that she went to reside with a friend or relative after her father's death, and that this caused the confusion in the address in the marriage bond. The bridegroom in general only required one guarantee for a bond of the kind; but Shakespeare being under age, the one became his representative, and the other guarantor for that representative.

Page 67.—"The Comedy of Errors" was doubtless one of the plays performed before the Queen at Christmas, 1594, seeing that it was ready to be put upon the boards at the Gray's Inn Revels on the spur of the moment. I have discussed this at full in my paper, "The Earliest Official Record of Shakespeare's Name," Berlin (a copy at the British Museum); also in a long letter to theTimes, January, 1895.

Page 70.—James Burbage bought the part of a house in Blackfriars from Sir William More, February 4, 1596, which he afterwards converted into a theatre. Regarding the quarrel with Allen and "the Theatre" lease, see the depositions in the case of Burbagev.Allen taken at Kelvedon, in Essex, August, 1600, reproduced in Halliwell-Phillips's "Outlines," i. 350. Further illustration of the earning proportions of players and proprietors may be learned from the article by Mr. James Greenstreet, "The Whitefriars Theatre at the Time of Shakespeare" (The New Shakespearean Society's Transactions, 1888).

Page 77.—In John Combe's will there is mentioned a field in Ingon Lane, called Parson's Close, or Shakespeare's Close. This may have been one of the poet's minor purchases, or merely a name come down from Henry's time.

Page 78.—A petition was sent up to the Lord Chief Justice from the Corporation of Stratford-on-Avon, to restrain William Combe, Esq., son and heir of John Combe, March 27, 1616. He overthrew the Aldermen who came peaceably to hinder his digging, whereof great tumult arose. In spite of orders to the contrary, he continued his enclosures, and another petition was addressed to the Privy Council, describing "Mr. Combe of so unbridled a disposition," etc. On February 14, 1618, a reply came signed, "Francis Verulam," "Pembroke," "Naunton," "Fulke Greville" (Wheler Collection, Stratford-on-Avon).

Page 82.—From the town clerk's account of what took place at the Halls during Shakespeare's lifetime, we are sure that his position must have been anomalous.

"The Halle, 17 Dec., 45 Eliz. Plays. At this Halle yt ys ordered that there shalbe no plays or enterludes played in the Chamber, the Guild Halle, nor in any parte of the House or Courte, from hensforward, upon payne that whosoever of the Baylif, Aldermen, and burgisses of this boroughe shall give leave or licence thereunto shall forfeit for everie offence 10s.

"7 Feb., 1611-12, 45 Eliz."

"... The inconvenience of plaies being verie seriouslie considered of, with their unlawfulness, and how contrarie the sufferance of them is against the orders heretofore made, and against the examples of other well-governed cities and burrowes the Compaine here are contented, and they conclude that the penaltie of 10s. imposed in Mr. Baker's year, for breaking of the order shall from henceforth be £10 upon breakers of that order, and this to holde until the next common council, and from henceforth for ever, excepted that be then finally revoked and made void." This was the period of Shakespeare's retirement to Stratford-on-Avon.

Page 84.—It may be noted as a coincidence that the plays were published in folio the year of Mrs. Shakespeare's death. Some change among the leases, or the termination of the connection with his family through the death of his widow, may have suggested this.

Page 93.—A Robert Hall rented the old School House in Stratford-on-Avon, and paved the Guild Hall, 1568. A Richard Hall was churchwarden of St. Nicholas, Warwick, in 1552, who died in 1558, and among the churchwarden's accounts are notices of Richard Hall the younger, Nicholas Hall, John, Alice, Simon and "Eme Hall." "Received of Ric. Hawle the younger for the benevolence that Richard Hawle gave unto the poor out of his lands in Church Street, World without end," 1566-67. Richard Hall was churchwarden in 1600 and in 1606 (Churchwarden's Accounts, St. Nicholas, Warwick, Mr. Richard Savage).

Page 99.—Michael Drayton frequently visited Sir Henry Rainsford at the Manor House, Clifford Chambers. This gentleman had married Anne Goodyere of Polesworth, whose parents wereDrayton's patrons. She was the "Idea" of his sonnets. (See introduction to "Michael Drayton," by Oliver Elton, 1895.)

Page 103.—Susanna Hall's signature appears on the settlements of 1639, and on that of 1647, in which her daughter joined.

Page 104.—"15th Dec., 1648. Tithes: Mrs. Elizabeth Nashe for Shottery Corne Tithes, being of the yearly value of one hundred pounds, £5." "28th June, 1650. Mrs. Elizabeth Barnard for Shotterie Corn tythes of the yearly value of one hundred and twentie pounds, £6." (Wheler's Notes, Stratford-on-Avon.)

Page 107.—There are many Bagleys in the parish registers of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, and also Hathaways. Itmaybe they were connections.

Page 110.—Halliwell-Phillipps states that in the "Coram Rege Roll of 1597, Gilbert Shakespeare is named as one of those standing bail for a clockmaker of Stratford"; and adds that he is described as "Haberdasher of St. Bridget's Parish, London." Through the kind permission of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, I have been allowed to go through their books at leisure, and find that there is no trace of a Shakespeare anywhere, and in the sixteenth century, no trace even of aGilbert, except "Gilbert Shepherd," who took up his freedom in 1579. Neither is there any trace of him in the registers of St. Bridget's or St. Bride's, nor in the Subsidy Rolls, but in both places appear Gilbert Shepherd. I am, therefore, forced to the conclusion that Halliwell-Phillipps misread "Shepherd" as "Shakespeare." See my article in theAthenæum, Dec. 22, 1900, "John Shakespeare, of Ingon, and Gilbert of St. Bride's."

Page 112.—William Hart, the hatter, died a week before his brother-in-law, probably of the same epidemic. Joan Hart, his widow, survived till November 4, 1646. Their eldest son William was an actor. (See Royal Warrant, May 17, 1636; Halliwell-Phillipps, i. 129.) In William Hewitt's "Visits to Remarkable Places," 1839, he mentions Stratford and a boy whom he had noticed from his likeness to the poet. He turned out to be a descendant of his sister Joan Hart, and was called William Shakespeare Smith (Notes and Queries, 5th Series, VIII. 475). Probably the same referred to on page 109.

Page 116.—Thomas Shakespeare seemed to have been somewhat like Henry in character. He was entered on the Court Roll at a rental of £4 in 1563. "At the Court 31st March, 23 Eliz., he incurred a penalty of 4d. for not having and exercising bows; for not wearing cappes 4d.; for leaving his swine unringed in the fields 12d." He appears also as a juror several times in court.

Page 121.—Mr. Rylands' "Records of Rowington" supply many details, as, for instance:

"In 1576, a lease by feoffees, among whom was Thomas Shakespeare, was granted Richard Shakespeare of Rowington, weaver of the 'Tyinges.'"

In the same year a lease of "the Harveys" was granted to "Elenor Shakespeare, widow, of Rowington," 20 Feb., 18 Eliz.

The customary rent of Rowington, 1605, mentions "Thomas Shakespeare, one close, 2/; one tofte and 16 acres, 13/4; one messuage, etc., 10/4."

"George Shakespeare, one cottage and 2 acres, 2/.""Richard Shakespere, one messuage, half a yd land (14 acres), 14/.""John Shakespeare, one cottage and one quarter yd land (9 acres), 6/8."

"George Shakespeare, one cottage and 2 acres, 2/."

"Richard Shakespere, one messuage, half a yd land (14 acres), 14/."

"John Shakespeare, one cottage and one quarter yd land (9 acres), 6/8."

The Court Rolls, 1633, give:

"Imprimis of Jane Shaxper for default of sute of court fined, 4d.""Thomas Shaxper, vitler, for breaking assize of ale and beer, 4d.""1634, Richard Shaxper, for encroaching on common, 2d.""1647, fine of admittance to land, Thomas Shaxper, 6/8.""Exchequer lay subsidies," Thomas in 1595, 1598, 1599, "assessed on goods valued £4,8/.""Lay subsidies 1668," Thomas, "assessed on land, 30/ and 4/."

"Imprimis of Jane Shaxper for default of sute of court fined, 4d."

"Thomas Shaxper, vitler, for breaking assize of ale and beer, 4d."

"1634, Richard Shaxper, for encroaching on common, 2d."

"1647, fine of admittance to land, Thomas Shaxper, 6/8."

"Exchequer lay subsidies," Thomas in 1595, 1598, 1599, "assessed on goods valued £4,8/."

"Lay subsidies 1668," Thomas, "assessed on land, 30/ and 4/."

In 1674 John Shakespeare, in the name of the other tenants of Rowington, was empowered to bring an action against enclosures.

A grant of a fee of 20/ a year by will of Humphrey Shakespeare, 1794, was payable out of premises in Kingswood.

This cottage was the subject of a lawsuit in which Jane Lord and John Slyev.Humphrey Shakespeare and one Culcup were at variance. Humphrey had a 200 years' lease, and left it to the poor of the parish.

Shakespeares from the Register of Rowington.

"1616, Mar. 16. Baptisms: Thomas Shaxspere, son of William Shaxspire.""1619, Ap. 28. William Shakespeare, son of John Shakespeare.""Aug. 13. William Shakespeare, son of Thomas Shakespeare.""1621, Aug. 18. Thomas Shaxper, son of Thomas Shaxper.""Nov. 4. Elizabeth, dau. of John Shaxper.""1622, William Shaxpere was Churchwarden.""1624, April 26. Clement Shaxpire, son of John Shaxpire, bapt.""July 23. John Sheldon and Jone Shaxspear married.""1630, Ap. 4. Baptisms: Elizabeth Shaxspeare, d. of Thomas Shaxspire.""1633, Ap. 20. Thomas Shaxspeare, son of Thomas Shaxspeare.""1634, Dec. 30. Thomas Shakspeare, son of John Shaxspeare.""1635, May 5. Burial: John Shakespear buried.""1637. Baptisms: July 18, Mary, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Shakesper.""1638, Aug. 17. Burial: Christopher Shakspeare buried.""1639, Mar. 8. Baptism: John, son of John Shakespeare and Mary bapt."William Shaxspere Churchwarden.""1640, Aug. 3. Burials: Anne, d. of Thomas Shakespeare, buried.""1641, April 10. Thomas Shakespear, son of Thomas Shakespear and Margaret, bur.""Oct. 30. Mary, daughter of Thomas Shakespear, buried.""1642, Feb. 14. Thomas, son of John Shakespeare, buried.""1643, June 14. Clement, son of John Shakespeare, buried.""1645, Sept. 18. Anne Shakespeare, widowe, buried.""1646, July 12. William Shakespeare buried.""July 24. The wife of William Shakespeare buried.""Feb. 20. William Shakespeare, senior, buried.""Mar. 8. Thomas Shakespeare buried.""1647, Sep. 20. Mary, dau. of William Shakespeare, junior, and Elizabeth his wife, buried.""Oct. 1. Elizabeth, d. of John Shakespear, buried.""Nov. 4. Elizabeth, dau. of William Shakespeare, jun., and Margaret his wife.""1649, Oct. 5. William Shakspeare, junior, buried.""1650, Dec. 25. John Shakespeare, junior, buried.""1651, Mar. 3. Widow Shakspeare buried."[A gap in the registers.]"1662, Feb. 17. John, sonne of John Shakspeare of Kingswood, bapt.""1663, Mar. 29. Thomas, son of John Shakspeare of ye hill, bapt.""1664, Feb. 8. Josiah, sonne of John Shakespeare of ye hill, bap. Feb. 8, buried Feb. 17.""1665, Ap. 3. Richard, son of John Shakespeare of Kingswood, bapt.""1665, Dec. 3. Mary, dau. of John Shakespeare, bapt.""1666, Mar. 18. John Shakspeare of Kingswood brook buried.""1667, Aug. 6. Old William Shakespeare of Brookfurlong buried.""Nov. 23. Margaret Shakespeare of Whitehall, widdow, buried. John Shakesper Churchwarden.""1668, June 1. Samuel, son of John Shakespeare and Rebecca, his wife, bapt., buried June 6.""June 28. Rebecca, wife of John Shakespeare of the Hill, buried.""1669, Nov. 20. Old Thomas Shakespeare of Whitley Elme, buried.""1670, Sep. 29. Widdow Shakespeare of ye Hill buried.""Oct. 20. Thomas Shakespear the weaver was buried.""1672, Ap. 9. Ann, dau. of Mr. Shakespeare of ye Hill, bapt.""1676, Mar. 18. (Mary) the wife of Thomas Shakespeare, of Lowston End, buried.""1677, April 21. Widdow Shakespeare of Whitley Elme, buried.""1679, July 31. William Shakespeare and Alice Jennings married.""1679-80, Jan. 27. Thomas Shakespeare of Lapworth buried.""1680, Nov. 9. Alice, wife of William Shakespeare, buried.""1682, Oct. 19. William, son of William Shakespeare, of Lowston ford, bapt., and buried Dec. 27.""1683, Ap. 24. Thomas Shakespeare and Anne Biddle married.""1686, June 21. William Shakespeare of Brookfurlong buried.""Dec. 12. John, son of Thomas Shakespeare, bapt.""Feb. 19. Thomas Shakespeare of Rowington buried.""1687, Sep. 15. William, son of John Shakespeare, jun., bapt.""1688, Dec. 10. Thomas Shakespeare buried.""1693, Nov. 14. John, son of Thomas Shakespeare of Lapworth, buried.""1695, Aug. 10. William Shakespeare, senior, buried.""1696, Nov. 11. Thomas, son of William Shakespere, bapt.""1697, May 12. Henry Shakespeare of London buried.""1707, July 1. Thomas Shakespear buried.""1710, July 13. John Shakespeare, senior, buried.""1721-2, Jan. 30. (By licence) Francis Chernocke, of Killingworth, co. Warr., gent., about 24, and Mary Shakespeare, of Rowington, about 24, maiden, his father consenting, her parents dead. He sealed ... within ... on a bend ... three crosses crosslet[584]in sinister ... chief a mullet for difference" (see Worcester Marriage Licenses).

"1616, Mar. 16. Baptisms: Thomas Shaxspere, son of William Shaxspire."

"1619, Ap. 28. William Shakespeare, son of John Shakespeare."

"Aug. 13. William Shakespeare, son of Thomas Shakespeare."

"1621, Aug. 18. Thomas Shaxper, son of Thomas Shaxper."

"Nov. 4. Elizabeth, dau. of John Shaxper."

"1622, William Shaxpere was Churchwarden."

"1624, April 26. Clement Shaxpire, son of John Shaxpire, bapt."

"July 23. John Sheldon and Jone Shaxspear married."

"1630, Ap. 4. Baptisms: Elizabeth Shaxspeare, d. of Thomas Shaxspire."

"1633, Ap. 20. Thomas Shaxspeare, son of Thomas Shaxspeare."

"1634, Dec. 30. Thomas Shakspeare, son of John Shaxspeare."

"1635, May 5. Burial: John Shakespear buried."

"1637. Baptisms: July 18, Mary, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth Shakesper."

"1638, Aug. 17. Burial: Christopher Shakspeare buried."

"1639, Mar. 8. Baptism: John, son of John Shakespeare and Mary bapt.

"William Shaxspere Churchwarden."

"1640, Aug. 3. Burials: Anne, d. of Thomas Shakespeare, buried."

"1641, April 10. Thomas Shakespear, son of Thomas Shakespear and Margaret, bur."

"Oct. 30. Mary, daughter of Thomas Shakespear, buried."

"1642, Feb. 14. Thomas, son of John Shakespeare, buried."

"1643, June 14. Clement, son of John Shakespeare, buried."

"1645, Sept. 18. Anne Shakespeare, widowe, buried."

"1646, July 12. William Shakespeare buried."

"July 24. The wife of William Shakespeare buried."

"Feb. 20. William Shakespeare, senior, buried."

"Mar. 8. Thomas Shakespeare buried."

"1647, Sep. 20. Mary, dau. of William Shakespeare, junior, and Elizabeth his wife, buried."

"Oct. 1. Elizabeth, d. of John Shakespear, buried."

"Nov. 4. Elizabeth, dau. of William Shakespeare, jun., and Margaret his wife."

"1649, Oct. 5. William Shakspeare, junior, buried."

"1650, Dec. 25. John Shakespeare, junior, buried."

"1651, Mar. 3. Widow Shakspeare buried."

[A gap in the registers.]

"1662, Feb. 17. John, sonne of John Shakspeare of Kingswood, bapt."

"1663, Mar. 29. Thomas, son of John Shakspeare of ye hill, bapt."

"1664, Feb. 8. Josiah, sonne of John Shakespeare of ye hill, bap. Feb. 8, buried Feb. 17."

"1665, Ap. 3. Richard, son of John Shakespeare of Kingswood, bapt."

"1665, Dec. 3. Mary, dau. of John Shakespeare, bapt."

"1666, Mar. 18. John Shakspeare of Kingswood brook buried."

"1667, Aug. 6. Old William Shakespeare of Brookfurlong buried."

"Nov. 23. Margaret Shakespeare of Whitehall, widdow, buried. John Shakesper Churchwarden."

"1668, June 1. Samuel, son of John Shakespeare and Rebecca, his wife, bapt., buried June 6."

"June 28. Rebecca, wife of John Shakespeare of the Hill, buried."

"1669, Nov. 20. Old Thomas Shakespeare of Whitley Elme, buried."

"1670, Sep. 29. Widdow Shakespeare of ye Hill buried."

"Oct. 20. Thomas Shakespear the weaver was buried."

"1672, Ap. 9. Ann, dau. of Mr. Shakespeare of ye Hill, bapt."

"1676, Mar. 18. (Mary) the wife of Thomas Shakespeare, of Lowston End, buried."

"1677, April 21. Widdow Shakespeare of Whitley Elme, buried."

"1679, July 31. William Shakespeare and Alice Jennings married."

"1679-80, Jan. 27. Thomas Shakespeare of Lapworth buried."

"1680, Nov. 9. Alice, wife of William Shakespeare, buried."

"1682, Oct. 19. William, son of William Shakespeare, of Lowston ford, bapt., and buried Dec. 27."

"1683, Ap. 24. Thomas Shakespeare and Anne Biddle married."

"1686, June 21. William Shakespeare of Brookfurlong buried."

"Dec. 12. John, son of Thomas Shakespeare, bapt."

"Feb. 19. Thomas Shakespeare of Rowington buried."

"1687, Sep. 15. William, son of John Shakespeare, jun., bapt."

"1688, Dec. 10. Thomas Shakespeare buried."

"1693, Nov. 14. John, son of Thomas Shakespeare of Lapworth, buried."

"1695, Aug. 10. William Shakespeare, senior, buried."

"1696, Nov. 11. Thomas, son of William Shakespere, bapt."

"1697, May 12. Henry Shakespeare of London buried."

"1707, July 1. Thomas Shakespear buried."

"1710, July 13. John Shakespeare, senior, buried."

"1721-2, Jan. 30. (By licence) Francis Chernocke, of Killingworth, co. Warr., gent., about 24, and Mary Shakespeare, of Rowington, about 24, maiden, his father consenting, her parents dead. He sealed ... within ... on a bend ... three crosses crosslet[584]in sinister ... chief a mullet for difference" (see Worcester Marriage Licenses).

From overseers' books: "Buried in Woolen":

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