Who was Thomas Quiney and how was he related to Shakespeare?
Thomas Quiney was the husband of Judith Shakespeare, the younger daughter of playwright William Shakespeare. He was a vintner and tobacconist in Stratford-upon-Avon and held several municipal offices in the borough, including chamberlain in 1621 and 1622.
Why did Shakespeare change his will after Thomas Quiney married Judith?
Shakespeare revised his will on the 25th of March 1616, weeks after the wedding. Quiney had been excommunicated for marrying during Lent without the required licence and had appeared before the Bawdy Court confessing to "carnal copulation" with Margaret Wheeler, who died in childbirth. The revised will struck out a provision for his son-in-law and explicitly denied Quiney access to money left to Judith unless he settled lands of equal value on her.
What happened to Thomas Quiney at the Bawdy Court in 1616?
On the 26th of March 1616, Quiney appeared before the Bawdy Court and confessed in open court to "carnal copulation" with Margaret Wheeler. He was sentenced to public penance in a white sheet before the congregation on three Sundays, but the sentence was remitted to a five-shilling fine paid to the parish poor.
What was The Cage in Stratford-upon-Avon and its connection to the Quineys?
The Cage was a house at the corner of High Street and Bridge Street in Stratford-upon-Avon, traditionally associated with Judith Quiney. Thomas moved his vintner's shop there in July 1616 after trading houses with his brother-in-law William Chandler. In 1633 the lease was placed in trust to protect Judith and the children, and in November 1652 it passed to Thomas's eldest brother Richard Quiney, a London grocer. In the 20th century it served as a Wimpy restaurant before becoming the Stratford Information Office.
How many children did Thomas Quiney and Judith Shakespeare have?
Thomas and Judith Quiney had three children: Shakespeare Quiney, baptised on the 23rd of November 1616, who died at six months of age; Richard Quiney, baptised on the 9th of February 1618, who died aged 21; and Thomas Quiney, baptised on the 23rd of January 1620, who died aged 19. Richard and Thomas were buried within a month of each other in 1639.
When did Thomas Quiney die?
The exact date of Thomas Quiney's death is unknown. Scholars speculate he died in 1662 or 1663, when parish burial records for Stratford-upon-Avon are incomplete. He was still selling wine to the corporation of Stratford-upon-Avon as late as 1650.