Shakespeare's family

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26315

Title

Shakespeare's family

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mrs. C. C. Stopes presents a genealogical record of William Shakespeare's ancestors and descendants, arguing against claims of his low birth. This scholarly work traces the poet's respectable family line through Warwickshire families like the Ardens, offering a serious biographical perspective distinct from his plays.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Shakespeare's Family*, Mrs. C. C. Stopes presents a meticulous genealogical reconstruction of William Shakespeare's lineage, challenging the prevailing notion that the poet was of mean origin. Through careful research of parish registers, court records, and municipal accounts, Stopes asserts that Shakespeare possessed a respectable status and noble ancestry traceable to Guy of Warwick and King Alfred. She argues that genius is not restricted by class, citing contemporaries like Burns and Chaucer to refute arguments based on low birth. The work serves as a corrective to the 'chaotic nonsense' often used to disparage the poet's character, establishing a factual foundation for his life separate from his literary output. Stopes addresses significant historical errors made by earlier researchers, such as Halliwell-Phillipps. She clarifies the spelling of 'Shakespeare' based on contemporary usage, noting that the Court spelling was 'Shakespeare' by 1594. Furthermore, she corrects the record regarding London haberdashers, demonstrating through access to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers' records that no Shakespeare family member held that title in the sixteenth century, suggesting previous claims misread 'Shepherd' as 'Shakespeare.' The text details the lives of various Shakespeares across Warwickshire, London, and other counties. Stopes establishes a definitive link between the poet and the Arden family, confirming his mother Mary's connection to them. While she notes that no one else bearing the name Shakespeare is his descendant, she identifies his sister's family as the only certain connection. The biography focuses on John Shakespeare, the poet's father, detailing his struggles, imprisonment, and eventual rise as a local figure, as well as the complex circumstances surrounding William's marriage to Anne Hathaway. Stopes emphasizes that the poet's genius was forged by fiery trials and a desire to play the man rather than the gentleman, driven by the anxieties of his father's life and the religious turmoil of the times. Ultimately, the book provides a comprehensive record of the poet's ancestors and descendants, separating the man of flesh and blood from the romanticized literary icon.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History