Not Just the Tudors Shakespeare's Family: New Discoveries
Jun 23, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Dr. Matthew Steggle, a Shakespeare expert from the University of Bristol, uncovers the influential women in Shakespeare's life, including his wife and daughters. He reveals how digital tools and forgotten manuscripts shine new light on their stories, challenging the narrative that they've been intentionally hidden. Topics include a newly discovered letter connected to Mrs. Shakespeare and the impact of Susanna on her father's legacy. This exploration highlights the unsung contributions of women and reshapes our understanding of Shakespeare's world.
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Discovery of Mrs. Shakespeare Letter
- The letter fragments addressed to Mrs. Shakespeare were discovered as binding waste in a book in Hereford Cathedral Library in 1978.
- They lay overlooked until modern digital tools allowed full reading and analysis starting in 2016.
Anne Shakespeare's Agency Revealed
- The letter reveals Anne Shakespeare likely had financial agency, challenging the idea she was merely a passive rural wife.
- It suggests Anne lived in London part-time and was involved in resolving business disputes, indicating a partnership with William.
Locating Shakespeare in London
- Evidence links the letter to Trinity Lane in central London where a Shakespeare lived, likely William Shakespeare himself.
- Parish records mostly exclude William in London, but no other Shakespeare fits the letter's scenario, pinpointing William's presence there.
