John Shakespeare

• 1. Origins In Snitterfield

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  John Shakespeare arrived in Stratford-upon-Avon during 1551. He left his father Richard behind in the village of Snitterfield. Richard worked as a farmer there. John began working as a glover and whittawer, which means he processed leather for gloves. The town held only about 1500 people at that time. Just 200 houses stood within its boundaries. Records from 1556 through 1592 list him as a glovemaker. This trade likely formed his main income source. Yet property purchases suggest earnings far exceeding typical tradesmen. Court documents show he also sold timber and barley. He leased agricultural lands inherited from his family. An administration record from 1561 lists him explicitly as a farmer.

• 2. Rise To High Bailiff

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  the 2nd of October 1556 marked a purchase on Henley Street. He bought an eastern wing house later known as Shakespeare's Birthplace. By 1558 he served as borough constable. This role resembled early police work. In 1559 he became an affeeror assessing fines for undefined offenses. That position led to his status as a burgess then chamberlain. Locals called him Goodman recognizing his rising social standing. By 1564 he held the title of alderman. William was born in that same year. The highest office arrived in 1568 when he became High Bailiff. This role equated to modern mayor. He presided over court sessions and council meetings. As bailiff he acted as almoner, coroner, and escheator. He issued warrants and negotiated with the lord of the manor. His name appeared officially as Master John Shakespeare during this term.

• 3. Collapse Of Finances

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  Late 1570s brought severe financial trouble. He failed to attend council meetings regularly. Only one meeting attendance occurred between January 1577 and September 1586. Non-attendance cost him his alderman seat by the 6th of September 1586. Records show he stayed away from church services in 1592 fearing debt arrest. Prosecutions in the 1570s targeted usury and illegal wool dealing. Illegal trade helped his glove business avoid middlemen. In 1570 he lent £220 to Walter Mussum. That sum exceeded £50,000 in 2007 value. Mussum died owing only £114 worth of estate. Usury laws called lending interest a vice most odious. Penalties included forfeiture of all money lent plus fines or imprisonment. He traded 300 tods of wool illegally in 1571. This large consignment violated licensing rules. By 1576 he withdrew completely from public life. Townsmen kept his name on rolls for ten years hoping recovery. He never returned to active service.

• 4. Marriage And Eight Children

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  Mary Arden became his wife around 1557. She belonged to the local gentry family known as the Ardens. A baptism record exists for Joan Shakespeare dated the 15th of September 1558. The couple produced eight children total. Joan died in infancy after her birth. Margaret was born the 2nd of December 1562 but buried the 30th of April 1563. William arrived the 26th of April 1564 and lived until the 23rd of April 1616. Gilbert entered the 13th of October 1566 and died the 2nd of February 1612. Another daughter named Joan was born the 15th of April 1569 surviving until the 4th of November 1646. Anne came the 28th of September 1571 dying the 4th of April 1579. Richard was born the 11th of March 1574 passing the 4th of February 1613. Edmund arrived the 3rd of May 1580 and died London the 31st of December 1607. Five of these eight reached adulthood.

• 5. The Coat Of Arms

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  An application for heraldry appeared in 1569. It included vague claims about ancestors honored by King Henry VII. The draft text mentioned John Shakespeare whose parents were rewarded by the king. This application later withdrew itself from consideration. Arms finally granted on the 20th of October 1596 by William Dethick. Most historians believe William orchestrated this grant. His son paid expenses following literary success in London. The new application referenced Mary Arden as daughter and heir of a gentleman. A second version appeared in 1602 showing the final design. The original 1569 attempt failed due to lack of proof. Success required waiting decades before approval arrived.

• 6. Faith And Family Secrets

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  Thomas Plume wrote notes fifty years after John's death. He recorded conversations with Sir John Mennes describing him as merry cheeked. Mennes claimed meeting him in his shop. The anecdote describes Will as good honest fellow cracking jests. Katherine Duncan-Jones notes Mennes was only two when John died. Plume likely recorded stories from Mennes father instead. John and family conformed publicly to Church of England rules. Municipal office required church membership in good standing. Baptisms and burials entered parish registers regularly. In 1560s or 1570s he covered wall paintings in Guild Chapel. Records show payment of two shillings for defacing images. Some scholars suspect secret Catholic recusancy within the household. Mary came from a Catholic family background. A tract signed J Shakespeare found in Henley Street rafters pledged Catholic heart loyalty. Edmond Malone saw this document in 18th century but it vanished later. Research suggests the testament dated 1638 at earliest. It could not belong to John but possibly daughter Joan. Forger John Jordan created missing first page misreading names.