Skip to content

Questions about Thomas Quiney

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Thomas Quiney baptized in Holy Trinity Church?

The register of Holy Trinity Church records the baptism of Thomas Quiney on the 26th of February 1589. He entered a world where his father Richard and mother Elizabeth already raised ten other children.

What business did Thomas Quiney operate along High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon?

Thomas Quiney operated as both a vintner and tobacconist along High Street in Stratford-upon-Avon. He held the lease to a tavern known as Atwood's starting from 1611 and later traded houses with his brother-in-law William Chandler to occupy The Cage.

Why did Thomas Quiney face excommunication after marrying Judith Shakespeare?

The couple failed to obtain the required licence issued by the Bishop of Worcester for their wedding on the 10th of February 1616 during the Lenten season. Walter Nixon summoned Quiney before the consistory court in Worcester and the register recorded excommunication around the 12th of March 1616 because he did not appear by the required date.

What legal punishment did Thomas Quiney receive for carnal copulation with Margaret Wheeler?

Less than two months after the wedding Quiney appeared before the Bawdy Court on the 26th of March 1616 and confessed to carnal copulation with Margaret Wheeler who died in childbirth. The court sentenced him to open penance in a white sheet before the congregation on three Sundays and he also had to admit his crime wearing ordinary clothes before the Minister of Bishopton in Warwickshire.

How did William Shakespeare alter his will regarding Thomas Quiney in January 1616?

William Shakespeare summoned lawyer Francis Collins in January 1616 to alter his will and made further changes likely due to dying concerns about Quiney on the 25th of March. The original bequest named my sonne in L[aw] which was struck out for Judith's name instead and this money explicitly denied Thomas Quiney unless he bestowed lands of equal value on Judith.

When did Thomas Quiney die and what happened to his children?

Thomas Quiney likely died between 1662 and 1663 as burial records become incomplete. His three children named Shakespeare Richard and Thomas all died young with Young Shakespeare buried on the 8th of May 1617 and Richard and Thomas buried within a month of each other in early 1639 aged 21 and 19 respectively.