that lordship;" and his name occurs in the registry of the Court of Record as being fined for non-attendance during his occupancy of this office. ? Stratford Curia de recordo ibidem tent. secundo die Junii, annis regnorum Burgus. Philippi et Mariæ, &c. tercio et quarto. viij.d. De Johanne Shakysper uno testat. serviciæ burgi, quod quia non venit ad exequendum officium suum pro iij. curiis. Ideo in misericordia. On September 30th, 1558, he was chosen one of the four constables, the circumstance being thus noted in the contemporary record: The xij. men have orderyd ther trysty and welbelovyd Robert Perot to be bely for one wholl yere now next comynge. Item, ther trysty and welbelovyd Henry Byddyll capytall alderman (jur). Item, ther trysty and welbelovyd Humfrey Plymley, Roger Sadler, John Taylor, and John Shakspeyr (jur.), constabulls. He was again elected constable for another year on October 6th, 1559, and on the same day he was chosen one of the four affeerors appointed to determine the fines for those offences which were punishable arbitrarily, and for which no express penalties were prescribed by statute. This latter office he again filled in 1561, in the September of which year he was elected one of the chamberlains of the borough, an office he held for two years.* On July 4th, 1565, he was chosen an alderman, "at thys hall John Shakspeyr ys appwntyd an alderman ;" and from Michaelmas, 1568, to Michaelmas, 1569, he was the high bailiff† * In a deed relating to "a tenneimente in the Rother strete," called "Roder stret" in the body of the document, dated December 26th, 5 Eliz.-"John Shakspeyre and John Taylere, chaumburlens and capytall burgesez." Another deed dated Jan. 20th, 5 Eliz.-"John Taylor and John Shakspeyr, chamburleins." We have also "thaccount of John Tayler and John Shakspeyre chamburlens, made the xxiiij.th day of January in the v.th yere of the reigne of [our] Sovereign Lady Elyzabeth." An indenture dated 26 Apr. 5 Eliz.-"John Shackspere and John Tayler, chamberleyns ;" and a lease dated May 27, 5 Eliz. of a tenement in High street to William Trowte, "John Taylor and John Shakspere, chamberleyns." + "Mr. John Shakspere hysgh balyf," MS. dated Oct. 1st, 1568. "Mr. John Shakyspere hysgh balyf," Sept. 7th, 1569. "Mr. John Shakspere, hy3gh balyf of the sayd burrowe," Jan. 26th, 1569. of Stratford, thus attaining the chief honour the corporation could bestow. On the 5th of September, 1571, he was elected chief alderman, "Mr. John Shakespere was elected alderman for the yere to come, and ys sworne ut supra, &c." He continued chief alderman till Sept. 3d, 1572, and thus concludes the account of the local honours shadowed over Shakespeare's father. As early as 1556, John Shakespeare became the holder of two copyhold estates of inheritance at Stratford, which were alienated to him by George Turnor and Edward West, on October 2d. One of these was situated in Greenhill street, the other in Henley street: Stratford super Avon. Visus franci plegi cum cur. et session. pacis tent. ibidem secundo die Octobris annis regnorum Philippi et Mariæ, Dei gratia, &c. tercio et quarto. Item, præsentant quod Georgius Turnor alienavit Johanni Shakespere et hæredibus suis unum tent. cum gardin. et croft. cum pertinentiis in Grenehyll stret,† tent. de domino libere per cartam pro redd. inde domino per annum vj.d. et sect. cur. et idem Johannes prædictus in curia fecit domino fidelitatem pro eisdem. Item, quod Edwardus West alienavit prædicto Johanni Shakespere unum tent. cum gardin. adjacen. in Henley Strete, pro redd. inde domino per annum vj.d. et sect. cur. et idem Johannes prædictus in curia fecit fidelitatem. * 10 Oct. 13 Eliz. Ad primam aulam Adriani Queny ballivi burgi prædicti ac Johannis Shakespere cap. aldermanni ejusdem burgi ibidem tent. Borough Records. This was in the year 1571. † Greenhill street still remains, but not as in those days. At a Court Leet held 3 & 4 Ph. & Mar. was entered "Raf Hylton for hys wyf beyng a hedge brekar, and teryng and carryeng away of Nicholes hedge at Grenehyll, and he stands amersyd." This hedge is again mentioned in the following order made Oct. 6, 5 Eliz. 1563: Item, that no maner of person nor persons by hym or themselves or any other of [them] or ther famyly do at eny tyme hearafter ley eny donge or muck in the stretes or lanes, but only within severall groundes or uppon the comen dunghyll appwntyd, under the peyne to forfet for every defalt iij.s. iiij.d. and the tennant that rentythe the ground for sufferynge dung or muk to be leyd uppon hys ground contrary to the ordor prescribid, every suche tenaunt to forfet for hys so sufferyng muk to be so leyd x.s. every suche forfettes to be to the use of the chambur of Stratford. Theis donghylles beyng comen donghylles appwntyd hearafter namyd, that ys to say, one at the nether end of Shyp stret, one other at the nether end of Burge stret, one other in the gravell pyttes in Tyncar stret, one other at thupper end of Grenehyll stret by Nycholas lanes hedge in Henley stret, one other donghyll in the old plac accustomyd, one other in Churche lane benethe John Sadlers barne, and all the same sayd commen dunghylles to be ryd twycz in the yere, that ys to say, befor the feest of Pentycost and neer and about Mychelmas, under the peyn xx.s. to the use aforsayd. The purchase of this property, nearly equal in its tenure to freehold, exhibits him as thriving in his occupations. How long he continued to possess it does not anywhere appear, but he probably parted with both estates some years afterwards, for no mention is made of them in any of the numerous documents relating to the Shakespeare property. John Shakespeare's marriage with Mary Arden took place most probably in 1557. She was unmarried on November 24th, 1556, the date of her father's will, and Joan, her first child, was baptized at Stratford on September 15th, 1558, "Jone Shakspere daughter to John Shakspere." It should, however, be recollected that the baptismal registers of Stratford do not commence till March 1558, so that it is by no means impossible Joan was the second child, and I am inclined to think that Rowe's statement of their having had ten children was founded on substantial information, not from the parish registers. Those who believe in the minute personal application of the sonnets have not found an argument for this assertion; That's for thyself to breed another thee, The following extracts from the registers of Stratford will show the names of the other children, other notices of the name, and some of the connexions of the family. 1. Baptisms, 1562, December 2, Margareta filia Johannis Shakspere. Burials, 1563, April 30, Margareta filia Johannis Shakspere. 2. WILLIAM. Baptisms, 1564, April 26, Gulielmus filius Johannes Shakspere. 3. Baptisms, October 13, 1566, Gilbertus filius Johannis Shakspere. [In the register for burials, Feb. 3, 1611-2, occurs, Gilbertus Shackspeare adolescens. This was perhaps a son. Malone asserts (ii. 615) that the elder Gilbert certainly died before his son. For this I find no authority, no notice of his decease appearing in the registers; but he lived at Stratford, and his signature occurs as a witness to a deed made in 1609. It is sufficiently interesting to be given entire, and the reader will not be displeased to see the autograph of one of Shakespeare's brothers, affording us a genuine example of the name written by one of the family without the elision of the middle e.] Lease from Margery Lord, widow, to her son Richard Smyth alias Courte, butcher, of the site of a chimney in Middle Row. This indenture made the ffifte daye of Marche in the yeare of our Lorde God one thowsande syxe hundred and nyne, Betwene Margerye Lorde of Stratford uppon Avon in the cowntye of Warwick wyddowe of the one partye, and Richard Smyth alias Courte of the same towne and cowntye, butcher, one of the sonnes of the same Margerye of the other partye, Witnesseth that the said Margerye Lorde for dyvers good causes &c. her thereunto at this present especiallye movinge, and chieflye for and in consideration of the meare zeale and affection which she beareth unto the saide Richard, hath demizedd, graunted, &c. and doth demize &c. unto the said Richard his executors &c. one small piece of grownde whereupon is placed a foundation of stone which beareth and upholdeth a chymneye now in the hall of the dwellinge howse of the said Richard, which said foundation of stone is placed in a taverne or sellar which is parcell of the taverne of the said Richard, scyttuate and beinge in Myddle Rowe of Bridgstreete in Stratford aforesaide, and conteyneth in breadthe and wydnesse the number of three yards or thereabouts; To have and to holde the foresaide peece of grownde which is the foundation of the foresaide chymneye and in the occupation of the said Richarde &c. from the day of the date abovewrytten unto the full ende &c. of ffourescore and nyneteyne yeeres, &c. yeeldinge and payinge duringe the contynewance of this present lease unto the said Margerye Lord her heyres &c. the yearely rent of twoe pence of Englishe corant moneye &c. And the sayde Margerye &c. dothe covenant &c. to the said Richard &c. in manner and forme following, that is to saye, that she the said Margerye now &c. is the very trew and lawfull owner of the saide peece of grownde, and is nowe seised thereof &c. and hath lawfull power &c. to graunte &c. to the said Richard &c. And also the said Margerye &c. doth covenant &c. that it shall be lawfull &c. for the said Richard &c. peaceably &c. to have, holde, occupye &c. during the tearme aforesaide, the foresaide peece of grownde without lett &c. of the said Margerye Lorde, &c. In witnesse &c. Sealed, subscribed and delivered in the presence of Rich: willme Gilburt Shakerpen willen Bellamy & & o бонить 4. Baptisms, 1569, April 15, Jone the daughter of John Shakspere. [This being the second daughter so named, it has been presumed that the former Joan died before this period. She married William Hart of Stratford,* and the baptismal registers mention their children]-1600, Aug. 28, Wilhelmus filius Wilhelmi Hart; 1603, Jun. 5, Maria filia Willielmi Hart; 1605, Julii 24, Thomas filius Willielmi Hart hatter; 1608, Sept. 23, Mychaell sonne to Willyam Hart. Among the burials, 1607, Dec. 17, Mary dawghter to Willyam Hart; 1616, Aprill 17, Will. Hartt hatter. [Joan Hart was buried at Stratford, Nov. 4, 1646. Both Joan and her sons are kindly mentioned in Shakespeare's will. The Harts are the only lineal descendants of the poet who have continued to our times to bear the honour of an origin far more illustrious than the proudest feudal ancestry; yet it offers no satisfaction to trace them to their present recesses. See Hunter's New Illustrations, i. 45.] 5. Baptisms, 1571, Sept. 28, Anna filia Magistri Shakspere. Burials, 1579, April 4, Anne daughter to Mr. John Shakspere. [In the Chamberlain's accounts for 1579 is the following curious entry of the sum of eight-pence having been paid for the bell and pall at the funeral of this child, and it is of some little importance in regard to the question of John Shakespeare's circumstances, as he paid the highest fee found in the list :-] Item, for the bell and pall for Mr. Shaxpers dawghter, viij d. iiij.d. iiij.d. 6. Baptisms, March 11, 1573-4, Richard sonne to M: John Shakspeer. Burials, Feb. 4, 1612-3, Rich. Shakspeare. spere. 7. Baptisms, May 3, 1580, Edmund sonne to Mr. John Shak[This Edmund was a player, and died in London in December, 1607. See Collier's Memoirs of the Principal Actors in Shakespeare's Plays, Introd. p. 14. There cannot, I think, be much doubt as to the identity of these two, although Oldys mentions one of Shakespeare's younger brothers who was alive many years afterwards.] 8. Baptisms, May 26, 1583, Susanna daughter to William Shakspere. Marriages, Junii 5, 1607, John Hall gentleman and Susanna Shaxspere. Baptisms, 1607-8, Feb. 21, Elizabeth dawghter to John Hall gen. [Dr. Hall died Nov. 25, 1635, and was buried in the chancel of Stratford Church on the following day. Mrs. Hall died on July 11th, 1649, and was buried near her husband on July 16th. Elizabeth, their only daughter, was married in 1626.] *There are several notices of him in the Registry of the Court of Record, e. g.-17 Dec. 43 Eliz. Arthurus Ange queritur versus Willielmum Harte in placito debiti. 11 Feb. 43 Eliz. Willielmus Harte defaltum fecit super esson. ad sect Willielmi Wyett in placito debiti. |