Burbage, when playing Richard III, made an assignation. with a lady in the audience to visit her after the performances; Shakespeare, overhearing the conversation, anticipated Burbage, and met him on his arrival with the quip that "William the Conqueror was before Richard the Third.".. Another story in the same key, credits Shakespeare with the paternity of Sir William D'Avenant. He was baptized at Oxford on March 3, 1605, as the son of John Davenant, the landlord of the Crown Inn, where Shakespeare lodged on his journies to and from Stratford. The story of Shakespeare's paternal relation to the boy was long current in Oxford, and was at times complacently accepted by the reputed son. It is safer to accept the less compromising version which makes Shakespeare the godfather of the boy William, instead of his father. But the antiquity and persistence of the scandal belie the assumption that Shakespeare was known to his contemporaries as scrupulous virtue.3 a man of Yet another story, by Lee, represents him as transferring one of his mistresses to Southampton. We will, however, only quote Lee's reflection on the transaction: "Southampton's sportive and lascivious temperament might easily impel him to divert to himself the attentions of an attractive woman by whom he saw that his poet was fascinated, and he was unlikely to tolerate any outspoken protest on the part of his protégé": an admission which shows an intimate knowledge of the relations existing in Tudor times between dissolute aristocrats and plebeians.* Somewhat recently two discoveries relating to the actor have been claimed by Stratfordians, and adopted by his disciples. The first, based upon a statement by Sir John Harrington, is to the effect that up to 1599 he carried on an extensive gambling business. The other story relates to one of the maids of honor of Elizabeth, who, banished from court on account of her shameful life, became the mistress of the actor and 1 Lee, A Life of Shakespeare, p. 265. 2 Young Davenant became an actor; was knighted by Charles II, and changed the form of his name. 3 Lee, A Life of Shakespeare, p. 266. ▲ Ibid., p. 154. dominated his life. We are obliged to refer to these unsavory matters because they are the subjects of orthodox writers, and cannot properly be ignored in a work of this kind. We shall have further occasion to consider them. Phillipps calls our attention to the fact that "in the early part of the year 1598" the actor was in London; but he says, "It is certain, however, that his thoughts were not at this time absorbed by literature or the stage. So far from this being the case there are good reasons for concluding that they were largely occupied with matters relating to pecuniary affairs, and to the progress of his influence at Stratford-onAvon." 1 This is a startling admission by the best of Shaksperian students. Only a few months before, the first and second parts of "Henry IV" had been produced, and that very year appeared "Love's Labours Lost," the first play bearing the name, "W. Shakespere. As it was presented before her Highnes this last Christmas." This was immediately followed by "The Merry Wives of Windsor," which is said to have been written in the brief space of a fortnight. If he were not "absorbed by literature or the stage," at this time, when these plays were in the first flush of success, when could he have been? Phillipps is right, however; he was no more absorbed in literature, or even the stage, as he only took insignificant parts, than he was during the remainder of his life at Stratford, where he was engaged in petty trade until his death, making occasional visits to London in the way of business or pleasure. HIS FAVORITE RÔLE When he turned his back upon London he seemed to forget the literary works which were ascribed to him; in fact, never after displayed any personal interest in them, but gave his attention to trading and loaning money. Some of his transacPhillipps, Outlines, etc., vol. 1, p. 161. 1 of tions have left traces in the records of the day, and, though prolix, are here produced as an exhibit. These do not include legitimate real estate transactions, and, as but a small part a man's business affairs except these get into public records, it would seem that his were extensive. Extract from a letter of Abraham Sturley to his brother-in-law, Richard Quiney, 24, January 1597-98 This is one speciall remembrance from ur father's motion. Itt semeth bi him that our countriman, Mr. Shaksper, is willinge to disburse some monei upon some od yarde land or other att Shotterie or neare about us, he thinketh itt a veri fitt patterne to move him to deal in the matter of our tithes Bi the instruccions u can geve him theareof, and by the frendes he can make therefor we thinke it a faire marke for him to shoote att and not impossible to hitt. It obtained would advance him indeede and would do us muche good.1 . . . ... The noate of corne and malte taken the iiij,th of Febrwarij, 1597. Wm. Shackespere X quarters. A Letter from Adrian Quiney, 1598 To my lovynge sonne Rycharde Qwyney at the Belle in Carter Leyne deliver these in London. Iff you bargen with Wm. Sha ... or receve therfor brynge youre money homme that you maye and see howe knite stockynges be sold ther is gret byinge of them at Aysshome. 1600. William Shakspere vs. John Clayton, London, in an action to recover £7. Judgment rendered for plaintiff. 1604. William Shakspere vs. Phillip Rogers, Stratford. Action to recover an account for malt, including a loan of money, the whole amounting to £1, 15s. 10d. [The same man had been sued by him four years before for two shillings.] 1605. July 24, Mr. William Shakspere bought for 440 pounds, the moytie or one-half of the tythes of corne, grayne, blade and heye in the towns of Olde Stratforde, Welcombe and Bishopton. 1608. William Shakspere vs. John Addenbrooke of Stratford and John Horneby surety, action for debt amounting to £6. [The precepts in these cases were made by his cousin, 1 Phillipps, Outlines, etc., vol. 11, p. 57. Thomas Green, who seems to have been living with him. at New Place.] Says Phillipps: In the autumn of 1614, there was great excitement at Stratfordon-Avon respecting an attempted enclosure of a large portion of the neighboring common fields. The design was resisted by the Corporation. But Combe, he says,- spared no exertions to accomplish the object, and, in many instances, tormented the poor and coaxed the rich into an acquiescence with his views. It appears most probable that Shakespeare was one of the latter, and that amongst perhaps other inducements he was allured to the unpopular side by Combe's agent, one Replingham, guaranteeing him from prospective loss. However that may be, it is certain that the poet was in favor of the enclosures, for on December the 23rd, the Corporation addressed a letter of remonstrance to him on the subject, and another on the same day to Mr. Mainwaring. The latter who had been practically bribed by some land arrangements at Welcombe undertook to protect the interests of Shakespeare, so there can be no doubt that the three parties were acting in unison.1 The only letter known to have been written to William Shakspere Loveinge contreyman I am bolde of yow as of a frende craveinge yowr helpe with xxx.ll,vppon Mr. Bushells and my securytee, or Mr. Myttons with me. Mr. Rosswell is nott come to London as yeate and I have especiall cawse. Yow shall ffrende me muche in helpeing me out of all the debettes I owe in London. I thancke God and muche quiet my mynde, which wolde nott be indebeted. I am nowe towardes the Cowrte, in hope of answer for the dispatche of my buysenes. Yow shall nether loase creddytt now monney by me the Lorde wyllinge; and nowe butt perswade yowrselfe soe, as I hope, and yow shall nott need to feare butt, with all hartie thanckefullenes I wyll holde my tyme, and content yowr ffrende and yf we bargaine farther, yow shal be the paie-master yowrselfe. My tyme biddes me hastene to an ende, 1 Phillipps, Outlines, etc., vol. I, p. 246. and soe I committ thys yowr case and hope of yowr helpe. I feare I shall nott be backe thys night ffrom the Cowrte. Haste. The Lorde be with yow and with vs all, Amen! ffrom the Bell in Carter Lane, the 25 October, 1598. To my loveinge good ffrend and contreyman, Mr. Wm. Shackespere deliver thees.1 Ryc Quyney. A letter from Abraham Sturley to Richard Quiney, 4, November, 1598, relating to a court affair Our countriman Mr. Wm. Shakspare would procure us monei which I will like of as I shall heare when and wheare and howe, and I prai let not go that occasion if it mai sorte to ani indifferent condicions. To his most lovinge brother Mr. Richard Quinei att the Bell in Carterlane att London, geve these. Paid 2d. The above are sufficient to show something of the variety and extent of the actor's business operations. While carrying on these affairs, he appears to have been living in Stratford when Quyney, who was in London, addressed him. Sturley's letter, ten days later, indicates that he had seen the actor in the mean time and received encouragement of financial aid for Quyney, who was anxiously awaiting a response to his appeal, before returning home. He had purchased New Place in his native town for a permanent residence in 1597, and appearances indicate that he soon after took up his residence there. Writers have assumed the dates of 1604 and 1610 simply because of transactions which located him in London or Stratford at certain dates. "There is evidence," says Phillipps, "in the list of corn and malt owners, dated a few months after Shakespeare's purchase of New Place, that he was then the occupier of that 1 This letter found among Quiney's papers, Phillipps thinks was never forwarded the poet," and cites proof in Sturley's letter of November. Outlines, etc., vol. 1, p. 165. |