8-5Will

WHAT WAS SHAKESPEARE’S LAST WILL AND TESTEMENT? //Answer prepared by Abby L.//  On April 23rd, 1616, William Shakepeare died of mysterious circumstances. According to "The Last Will and Testament of William Shakespeare" on the website, __William Shakespeare__, he was well-cared for in his death, considering his daughter's husband was a physician. A few months before his death, Shakespeare met with a lawyer and arranged his last will and testament. A last will and testament is commonly known today as a person's final words and wishes. Shakespeare wrote his will on three sheets of parchment each signed at the bottom "By me William Shakespeare." Shakespeare first wrote what his daughter Judith would be receiving, followed by his sister, Joan, his nephews, his great granddaughter, the Poor of Stratford, his friends, his wife, and lastly, his daughter Susanna and her husband. He left his daughter, Judith a large sum of money and a silver bowl, he gave his sister, Joan some money and permission to stay on his estate for a nominal rent. Shakespeare then left his nephews a few pounds, his grand daughter, Elizabeth a silver plate, his friends received various items and trinkets, his wife received the second best bed and his daughter Susanna and her family the rest of his assets. These generous things that he left his family showed his generosity for people, especially the Poor of Stratford. He did leave them a mere 10£ but his thought showed his kindness towards them and all the others who he left things for in his will.

The most unusual and controversial thing about his testament, was the fact that he left his second best bed to his wife. Many believe that this was because a widow was entitled to only one third of the husband's assets, which I have learned from __Welcome to the Shakespeare Houses Website,__ and that the best bed would be an heirloom entitled to the heir, which in this case would be his daughter, Susanna. It is also believed that the best bed was originally a mere heirloom and the second best bed was the bed in which William and Anne slept.

 **Works Cited:** Aagesen, Colleen. Shakespeare for kids his life and times: 21 activities. Chicago,Ill: Chicago Review P, Distributed by Independent Group, 1999. Laroque, Francoise. The Age of Shakespeare. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1993. "The Last Will and Testament of William Shakespeare." William Shakespeare. 2005. William Shakespeare Site-map. Welcome to the Shakespeare Houses Website. .