Engraving of William Shakespeare by Martin Droeshout from the first folio edition of plays, 1623

William

about his life?

Education Service

Shakespeare
The National Archives

What can we find out

William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Introduction
Lesson at a Glance William Shakespeare
Suitable For: KS1-3 William Shakespeare is often thought of as one of the greatest writers
in the English language. His plays have been translated into every
major language, and are performed more often than any other
Time Period: playwright. Shakespeare’s writing also affected the way the English
Early Modern 1485- language evolved, and several words and phrases, such as ‘all’s well
that ends well’, ‘with bated breath’ and ‘a foregone conclusion’ have
1750 moved into everyday use.
Curriculum Link: This lesson gives you the chance to look at primary sources concerning
Shakespeare, including his will and information about his taxes.
The lives of significant
people who have
contributed to national
and international
Contents:
achievements. Background: 3
Enquiry Questions:
Teacher’s notes: 4
What can we find out Source One: 6
about William
Shakespeare’s life? Source Two: 9
Resources needed: Source Three: 11
Printed sources Source Four: 13

This resource was produced using documents from the collections of The National Archives. It can be freely modified and
reproduced for use in the classroom only.

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Background
William Shakespeare, also known as the 'Bard', was born in Stratford-upon-Avon on April 23rd
1564. It is thought he married his wife, Anne Hathaway, in 1582, although we have no specific
marriage certificate. He pursued a career as an actor, poet and dramatist in London. His now
famous plays were performed widely during his lifetime, often at the purpose-built Globe
Theatre in London on the south bank of the Thames. The first folio was published in 1623,
with 154 sonnets, 37 plays, and 2 long poems. It is suggested that his friends put it together in
case others tried to copy Shakespeare's work and claim it as their own. Since then, he has
become internationally renowned as the world's greatest ever playwright.

On March 25th 1616, William Shakespeare made his will, signed 'by me, William Shakspeare'.
He died on April 25th that same year. Some people believe that he caught a fever at a 'merry
party' thrown by Ben Johnson. Others prefer to say that no cause of death was officially
recorded.

Shakespeare's will itself is a matter of debate. The last will and testament helps us to learn
about Shakespeare at the end of his life, providing us with minute details about his final
wishes. The source evidence in this lesson shows that he was a man of considerable wealth by
the time he died, and that most of it was left to his eldest daughter, Susannah Hall. The will
also provides us with one of only six samples of his signature. The issue of leaving his 'second
best bed' appears insulting and mean to us today. Some experts explain that the 'second best
bed' was actually the bed in which William and his wife Anne would have slept, as the best
bed would have been kept for guests only. Others describe this as a direct insult to his wife,
yet there are also suggestions that leaving a bed to your wife was actually a magnificent gift,
as all the valuable bed linen and fine materials would be included. Finally it has also been
proposed that a wife would always get the second best things, with the best reserved for a son
or daughter.

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Teacher’s notes
This lesson provides pupils with evidence about Shakespeare that differs from the traditional 'greatest
playwright of all time' material that many will be used to. Useful for students studying life in Tudor times
both from a History and English perspective, this lesson helps pupils examine Shakespeare as a person rather
than a world famous writer. The material encourages pupils to challenge traditional expectations of
Shakespeare. By investigating tax records together with his last will and testament, pupils are able to identify
how Shakespeare avoided paying his tax and to develop their own theories about his final wishes. Clearly
providing excellent cross-curriculum links with English and Drama studies, this lesson is invaluable to those
studying Shakespearian times.

This lesson can form part of history studies relating to Tudor and Elizabethan times. As part of the National
Curriculum requirements for History, this lesson offers breadth of study coverage for Britain 1500-1750 (9),
specifically social changes. This lesson could also be used as part of the KS3 English curriculum as an
introduction to Shakespeare

Sources
Source 1 : PROB 1/4

Source 2 : E 179/146/354

Source 3 : E 179/146/369

Source 4 : E 372/455

Tasks
Look at Source 1

1. Take a look at these extracts from Shakespeare's will, 1616.

a) Write down what Shakespeare's bequests were to the following people

 Susannah (eldest daughter)
 Judith (second daughter)
 Joan Hart (sister)
 Joan's three sons (nephews)
 Elizabeth Hall (granddaughter)
 The poor of Stratford
 Mr Thomas Combe (friend's nephew)

b) Who, in your opinion, is missing from the list above?

c) Who is put in charge of the will (the executor)?
d) What does Shakespeare leave to his wife?
e) Is there anything to suggest even this bequest is an afterthought?
f) Many experts suggest that this is in no way an insult -
g) suggest three alternative explanations for Shakespeare's gift.

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Look at Source 2

2. This is an extract from a certificate made by the tax commissioners showing a list of people living in
St.Helen's Bishopsgate, who had not paid their tax in November 1597 (this area of London was very close
to Shoreditch where the Lord Chamberlain's company of actors performed).

a) How much are Shakespeare's goods valued at?

b) How much tax does Shakespeare owe?
c) This source shows 'defaulters' - what do you think this means?
d) What has happened to Shakespeare? Why hasn't he paid his tax?

Look at Source 3

3. This is An extract from a list made by the tax commissioners of people living in St. Helen's Bishopsgate,
who had not paid their tax in October 1598 (this area of London was very close to Shoreditch where the
Lord Chamberlain's company of actors performed).
.
a) What is the difference in time between Source 2 and Source 3?
b) How much tax does Shakespeare now owe?

Look at Source 4

4. This entry (in Latin) is in the main account of the Exchequer (Pipe Roll) of 1599-1600, and shows details of
what Shakespeare has owed for tax since 1597 when he was last known to have lived in St. Helen's,
Bishopgate - this area was very close to Shoreditch where the Lord Chamberlain's company of actors
performed.

a) The money owed by Shakespeare is now the 'business of' whom?

b) What does this evidence suggest?
c) What do you think Shakespeare has been up to between 1597 and 1599?

Look again at Sources 1-4

5. In 1561, Shakespeare's grandfather left a personal estate of £83 7s 6d. looking at the bequests in his will,
what does this suggest about William Shakespeare's success? What do you think happened to his finances
throughout his life?

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source One: Excerpts from Shakespeare’s Will (PROB 1/4)

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source One: Transcript of Excerpts from Shakespeare’s Will in

original language (PROB 1/4)

'.....Item I Gyve & bequeath unto my sonne in L[aw] Daughter Judyth One Hundred & ffyftie poundes of
lawfull English money.....

.....Item I gyve and bequeath unto my saied sister Jone XXli & all my wearing Apparrell to be paied and
delivered within one yeare after my deceas And I doe will & devise unto her the house with thappurtenances
in Stratford wherein she dwelleth for her naturall lief.....

.....unto her three sonnes William Harte (name omitted) Hart & Michaell Harte ffyve poundes A peece.....

.....Item I gyve & bequeath unto her the saied Elizabeth Hall All my Plate (except my brod silver & gilt bole)
that I now have att the date of this my will Item I gyve & bequeath unto the Poore of Stratford aforesaied
tenn poundes to Mr Thomas Combe my Sword.....

.....Item I Gyve Will bequeth & devise unto my Daughter Susanna Hall for better enabling of her to performe
this my will & towardes the performans thereof All that Capitall Messuage or tenemente with
thappurtenances in Stratford aforesaid called the newe place wherein I nowe dwell & two messuages or
tenementes with thappurtenances scituat lyeing & being in Henley Streete within the borough of Stratford
aforesaied And all my barnes stables Orchardes gardens landes tenementes & hereditaments whatsoever
scituat lyeing & being or to be had Receyved perceyved or taken within the townes Hamlettes villages Fieldes
& groundes of Stratford upon Avon Oldstratford Bushopton & Welcombe or in anie of them in the saied
countie of warrwick And alsoe All that Messuage or tenemente with thappurtenances wherein one John
Robinson dwelleth scituat lyeing & being in the blackfriers in London nere the Wardrobe & all other my landes
tenementes & hereditamentes whatsoever.....

.....Item I gyve unto my wiefe my second best bed with the furniture Item I gyve & bequeath to my saied
daughter Judith my broad silver gilt bowl. All the Rest of my goodes Chattel[s] Leases plate Jewels &
household stuffe whatsoever after dettes and Legasies paied & my funerall expences discharged I gyve devise
& bequeath to my Sonne in Lawe John Hall gent & my daughter Susanna his wief whom I ordaine & make
executors of this my Last will & testament.....'

{signed}By me William Shakspeare

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source One: Transcript of Excerpts from Shakespeare’s Will in

modern language (PROB 1/4)
.....I leave one hundred and fifty pounds of legal English money to my son-in-law (deleted in will) daughter
Judith.....

.....I leave to my sister, Joan, 20 pounds and all my clothes, which she should receive by the end of the first
year after my death. I also give her the house in Stratford and everything belonging to it, for her to live in for
the rest of her life.....

.....I leave to each of her three sons, William Harte, (first name is missing) Hart & Michael Harte, five pounds
each.....
.....I leave to Elizabeth Hall all my plate (except my broad silver gilt bowl) that I have at the time of this will. I
leave 10 pounds to the poor people of Stratford and my sword to Sir Thomas Combe.....

.....I leave to my daughter Susanna Hall (so that she is able to carry out my wishes in this will more easily), my
house and lands in Stratford called New Place where I now live, two houses with lands in Henley Street in
Stratford, and all my barns, stables, orchards, gardens, lands and houses in the towns hamlets, villages, fields
& grounds of Stratford-upon-Avon, Oldstratford Bushopton & Welcombe in the county of Warwick. I also
leave to her the house and lands in which John Robinson lives, near the Wardrobe in Blackfriars, London, and
all my other lands and buildings.....

.....(the next sentence has been added in the space between the lines) I leave my second best bed with all the
bedding and curtains to my wife. I leave my broad silver gilt bowl to my daughter Judith. After my debts have
been paid, these gifts in my will have been given and the costs of my funeral have been paid, I leave all the
rest of my belongings, leases, plate, jewels and household stuff to my son-in-law John Hall and my daughter
Susanna, his wife, who are the executors of this will.....

(signed) By me William Shakspeare

Notes:
li = pounds sterling
Roman numerals: x = 10

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 William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source Two: Extract from a certificate by London tax

commissioners 1597 (E 179/146/354)

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source Two: Transcript of an extract from a certificate by London

tax commissioners 1597 (E 179/146/354)
St Martyns Outwhiche parishe.

Anthony Treavys.........viii li ......viii s

Robert Whorewood........ v li ...... v s

St Ellens parishe.

Peter Dallila........... l li ....... l s

William Shackspeare........ v li........ v s
Thomas Smythe gent........ xxx li ...... xxx s
William Boyele........... xxx li ...... xxx s

....... dyd saye and affirme that the persons hereunder named are all other dead departed and gone out of the
sayd warde or their goodes so eloigned or conveyed out of the same or in suche pryvate or coverte manner
kepte whereby the severall Sommes of money on them severally taxed and assessed towardes the sayde
second payment of the sayde laste subsydye nether might nor coulde by anye meanes by them the sayde
Pettycollectors or ether of them be leveyed of them or anye of them to her majestie's use.

Source Two: Transcript in modernised language (E 179/146/354)

St Martyns Outwhiche parishe.

Anthony Treavys.........viii li ......viii s

Robert Whorewood........ v li ...... v s

St Ellens parishe.

Peter Dallila........... l li ....... l s

William Shackspeare........ v li........ v s
Thomas Smythe gent........ xxx li ...... xxx s
William Boyele........... xxx li ...... xxx s

..........said that the people named on this list are either dead or have left this area or have taken their
belongings out of the area or have secretly hidden them so that the tax collectors cannot charge them the
correct amount of tax for the second payment which will be sent to Her Majesty (Queen Elizabeth I).

Notes: Each line contains the name of the person being taxed, the first number in the line is the value of their
belongings and the second number (at the end of the line) is the amount of tax they have to pay at this
collection. Therefore Anthony Trevys has goods worth ?8 and he therefore owes 8 shillings in tax.

li = pounds sterling x = 10
s = shilling v=5
vi = 6
Roman numerals: iv = 4
c = 100 i=1
l = 50

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source Three: Extract from an indenture by London tax

commissioners, 1598 (E 179/146/369)

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source Three: Transcript of an extract from an indenture by

London tax commissioners, 1598 (E 179/146/369)
St Hellens parishe

Sir John Spencer knight a commissioner..ccc li.... xl li

William Reade in landes .......... cl li.... xxx li
John Robinson the elder.........c li......xiii li vi s viii d
Richard Taylor doctor in landes and fees..x li......xl s
Peter Turnor doctor in landes & fees....x li......xl s
Peter Dallyla................xxx li.....iiii li

Affid

Robert Honeywood gent in landes.....xl li.....viii li

John Allseppe..............l li.......vi li xiiis iiiid
John Morrys.................xxx li.....iiii li
Roberte Springe.............xxx li.....iiii li
Edward Swayne in lande & fees......x li.......xl s
James Scoles..............xx li....liiii s iiii d
Joane Lomley widdowe............iii li.....viii s
Anthony Snoade...............x li......xxvi s viii d
James Roking..............iii li.....viii s
Walter Briggen................v li.....xiiis iiiid
John Robinson the yonger...........x li.....xxvis viiid
John Scymme...............iii li....viii s

Affid

William Shakespeare...........v li.....xiii s iiii d

George Axon................iii li....viii s
Edward Jackson..............iii li....viii s

Notes: Each line contains the name of the person being taxed, the first number in the line is the value of their
belongings and the second number (at the end of the line) is the amount of tax they have to pay at this
collection. Therefore Sir John Spencer has goods worth 300 and he therefore owes 40 in tax.

li = pounds sterling
s = shilling

Roman numerals:
c = 100 v=5 i=1
l = 50 vi = 6
x = 10 iv = 4

Affid. = affidavit: this indicates that the person has not paid the tax which he/her owes to the Exchequer.

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William Shakespeare What can we find out about his life?

Source Four: Entry on main account of the Exchequer 1599

(E 372/445)

Transcript
'William Shakespeare in the parish of St. Helen's, 13s. 4d. of
the first entire subsidy granted in the said thirty ninth year
[of the reign of Queen Elizabeth] which is required upon the
same there.'

Transcript in modernised English

'William Shakespeare, who lives in the parish of St. Helen's,
owes 13 shillings and 4 pence for the first subsidy (tax) of
1599.'

Note: This Pipe Roll lists an old debt of tax owed (13s, 4d.)
and points out that it is the business of the sheriff of Surrey
and Sussex and according to a note in the margin of the
document, this matter was sent to the Bishop of Winchester
for his attention. In both Surrey and Sussex, the Bishop only
had authority over the area of the Clink in Southwark. This is
where many of the London Elizabethan theatres, including
the Globe Theatre were built.

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