8-2PrimaryArtifacts

Answer provided by: Cristina R. ** Much of Shakespeare’s life is a mystery other than the one he lived while in London. The only way the modern world knows Shakespeare had another life was from some documents before his fame. From these documents, we see Shakespeare was a respected man but not splendiferous. There is a strange seven year period where Shakespeare seems to have disappeared as there is no documentation of him at that time. An accounting of William Shakespeare’s history relies on mainly primary and first hand accounts from his life. Shakespeare's historical documents were not as personal as the later ones. The earliest document from his life is a Baptismal Register. England law states that children must be baptized within five days of their birth, and sure enough, William Shakespeare’s name was recorded. Although not formally documented, verbal records suggest the children of John Shakespeare were educated at the grammar school of Stratford Upon-Avon, a mere five minute walk from Shakespeare's family home, the Henley House. The Henley House, Shakespeare's childhood home, is today a museum to honor the "greatest genius that ever lived". The second document on the historical timeline is Shakespeare’s Summons. A man by the name of William Waite charged Shakespeare for causing him to fear for his life. He believed Shakespeare and three other men were going to beat him up, for reasons unknown. Shakespeare was never charged for this matter, as it seems Waite was just jealous of the men and was looking for money. There is also William Shakespeare’s Certificate of Marriage confirming he wed Anne Hathaway. However, there was some confusion when this document was found. People knew he had married Anne Hathaway, but on the legal document, it states he actually wed Anne Whately. Many rumors have arisen concerning Shakespeare’s love life. Did he have another lover by the name of Anne? No one knows for sure, but the most likely reason is there was simply a mistake on the document. The less exciting but simpler theory is that the clerk had dealt with the marriage of Anne Whately earlier that day and had simply confused the two. These documents are all government registries. Shakespeare's later documents are all more personal than his earlier ones. William handwrote an application to the Coat of Arms for his father. The College of Arms is the authority that approved and recorded all Coats of Arms, preventing mere peasants from inventing their own Arms or, worse still, two Lords turning up at court with identical symbols on their coaches. That would be a tragedy! The next document, and one of the gloomier ones, was the burial of Hamnet Shakespeare. Hamnet was the only son William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway had. This document appeared on the 11th of August 1596. Hamnet was only eleven when he died. The next two documents are the final ones the modern day world has in its possession. These are, Shakespeare's Last Will and Testament, and Shakespeare's burial. His grave was given "pride of place", in front of the altar in Holy Trinity Church, London. There is an interesting story surrounding his tomb. On his grave, the following curse is carved into the stonework, "Good frend for Jesus' sake forbeare To digg the dust enclosed heare! Bleste be ye man yt spares these stones, And curst be he yt moves my bones."
 * __Primary Documents still in Existence__

This made sure that Shakespeare's grave was safe, for in Elizabethan times bones were often removed from graves to make way for new burials. To ensure eternal peace the thread of the curse was reinforced by also burying him seventeen feet deep. This kept his gravesite intact. (Barbara Evans' book **The Shakespeare Companion**, pg 26)

For seven years Shakespeare all but vanished from the face of the earth.These years came to be known as "The Lost Years." There are no legal documents during this time and no one has found any letters. When Shakespeare was 21, he was married, had three children, and was living in Stratford Upon- Avon. Seven years later, he was a part owner of a theatrical company in London. It is also noted in 1597, that Shakespeare purchase a property at the North of Guild Chapel known as New Place. There are many different theories of what happened during this period of Shakespeare's life. The most common and earliest one was brought up by Richard Davies, a Gloucestershire clergyman. He said Shakespeare had been caught poaching deer on the property of Sir Thomas Lucy. Lucy beat him and sent him to jail. Many people believe this theory because Shakespeare's play, // The Merry Wives of Windsor, deals with a tormentor; many believe this tormentor is Sir Thomas Lucy. // The second most common story is that he began his theatrical career minding horses in front of playhouses. This theory is not quite as popular as the first but is equally possible. There are other, if somewhat more mythical, theories; maybe he was a sailor, soldier, butcher, or even a schoolteacher. We will never know. These documents show Shakespeare was respected, honored, and not splendiferous. He handwrote an application to the Coat of Arms, which separates him from the common man, making him one of the nobles. Even the theories that people came up with were somewhat honorable. The first two theories make him sound adventurous, like a hero in a storybook. Later on, saying he was a soldier or sailor, and even butcher and schoolteacher show he was respected, because in all of the theories, he is serving the people. Maybe he loved people, maybe not. All of the theories, show that people throughout time have idolized Shakespeare.

__Works Cited__

<[]>.
 * "Anne Hathaway's Cottage." Shakespeare Birthplace Trust. 14 Apr 2009. 3 Apr 2009

"First Folio." William Shakespeare Info. 2005. 4 Apr 2009 <[]>.

Lloyd Evans, Gareth, and Barbara. The Shakespeare Companion. New York, NY: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1978. Print.

Nicoll, Allardyce. Studies in Shakespeare. London, England: The Hogarth Press,1927. Print.

Pressley, J. M.. "Shakespeare's "Lost Years"." Shakespeare Resource Center. 18 Feb 2009. 18 Mar 2009 <[]>.

"The Folger Shop: Shakespeare Signet Ring." Folger Shakespeare Library. April 2009. 16 Mar 2009 <[]>.

"The Last Will & Testament of William Shakespeare." William Shakespeare Info. 2005.15 Mar 2009 <[]>.

Wood, Michael. In Search of Shakespeare. New York: Longman, 2003. Print.

Wood, Michael. "Shakespeare and the Documents, Part 1:." In Search of Shakespeare at PBS. 2003. 19 Mar 2009 <[]>. **