Here’s everything we’ve learned with respect to William Shakespeare’s life and deeply fascinating marriage to Anne Hathaway. They reveal revelations about their separate life during his pursuit of a thespian lifestyle. A letter fragment, dated to the 17th century, has emerged that suggests Shakespeare may not have completely left his wife behind in Stratford-upon-Avon as previously thought. This fresh evidence contradicts decades-strong assumptions of their antagonistic relationship.
William Shakespeare wed Anne Hathaway in 1582 and had three children with her. Legend has it that he left Stratford in order to pursue his theatrical fortunes. In addition, he paid particular attention to important playhouses in London during the 1590s, such as the Theatre in Shoreditch and the Curtain Theatre.
In his will, Shakespeare famously bequeathed Anne Hathaway his “second best bed.” This fascinating tidbit has sparked years of controversy and discussion among academics. Some people see this as an act of love, some see it as a harbinger of a failing marriage. Matthew Steggle, a prominent Shakespeare biographer, remarked, “For about the last 200 years, the prevailing view has been that Anne Shakespeare stayed in Stratford all her life and perhaps never even went to London.”
A recently found letter fragment discovered in the binding of a 1608 book by Johannes Piscator at the library of Hereford Cathedral. It goes on to describe “Good Mrs Shakspaire. She describes John Butts, an apprentice who was orphaned, left “fatherless”, and raised by his mother. The letter implies Shakespeare had handled money in trust for Butts. Butts’ house on Holywell Street in Norton Folgate, a place where Shakespeare had many ties.
Certain phrases of the potential letter give us pause to consider the benefits and controversies of Shakespeare’s assignation with Anne. The proclamation suggests Mrs. Shakspaire’s ability writ large to “paye your husbands debte.” Together these imply her financial independence, undermining past mythologizing about her life. Steggle observed, “The letter writer assumes that ‘Mrs Shakspaire’ has free access to cash on her own. Here’s what they wish Mrs Shakspaire could do to ‘paye your husbands debte.’”
Further examination of the letter revealed a statement: “when he hath served his time,” which implies a potential future collaboration or arrangement involving Butts. This adds complexity to the understanding of how Shakespeare managed his financial obligations and connections while living apart from his wife.
The larger historical context in which John Butts operated is important. As a child without a father living under his mother’s guardianship, the need for community support would have been paramount. A further 1607 mention of Butts in the Bridewell prison records suggests that Shakespeare had run up debts with him. This discovery hints at an even closer relationship between the Bard and his understudy.
This newly discovered letter fragment offers what may be “the nearest thing to her voice ever known,” according to Steggle. He argues that for biographers who wish to promote the story of a “disastrous marriage,” this document presents a difficult conundrum.