Thomas Quiney
The register of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon 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. One brother named Richard became a grocer in London while another sister Mary married Richard Watts, the vicar of Harbury. No school record exists for young Thomas yet he possessed enough education to write short passages in French. This literacy allowed him to run a business and hold municipal offices later in life. The family coat of arms described three trefoils slipped argent upon a bend sable. Such heraldry marked their standing within the borough despite the lack of formal schooling evidence.
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. Records show he sold wine to the corporation of Stratford-upon-Avon as late as 1650. Later he traded houses with his brother-in-law William Chandler to occupy The Cage. This larger property sat at the corner of High Street and Bridge Street. Quiney set up his shop in the upper half of this building. His reputation suffered minor blemishes when he was fined for swearing. He also faced fines for allowing townsmen to tipple in his house. Prosecution threatened him once over unwholesome and adulterated wine.
On the 10th of February 1616 Thomas Quiney married Judith Shakespeare inside Holy Trinity Church. The wedding occurred during the Lenten season which prohibited marriage without special permission. Lent began on the 23rd of January 1616 and ended on the 7th of April that year. The couple failed to obtain the required licence issued by the Bishop of Worcester. Walter Nixon summoned Quiney before the consistory court in Worcester for this infraction. He did not appear by the required date so the register recorded excommunication around the 12th of March 1616. Judith's status remains unknown but they returned to church in November for their first child's baptism. The punishment lasted only a short time despite the legal severity.
Less than two months after the wedding Quiney appeared before the Bawdy Court on the 26th of March 1616. He confessed to carnal copulation with Margaret Wheeler who died in childbirth. She was buried on the 15th of March 1616 along with her unborn child. The court sentenced him to open penance in a white sheet before the congregation on three Sundays. He also had to admit his crime wearing ordinary clothes before the Minister of Bishopton in Warwickshire. The first part of the sentence was remitted leaving him with a five-shilling fine for the poor. Since Bishopton held only a chapel he avoided public humiliation there. This scandal marked the beginning of a troubled marriage and family life.
Judith owned her father's cottage on Chapel Lane while Thomas held the lease to Atwood's until July 1616. That month he swapped houses with William Chandler to move his vintner shop into The Cage. Around 1630 Quiney tried to sell the lease but kinsmen prevented the transaction. In 1633 relatives John Hall, Thomas Nash, and Richard Watts signed over the lease to protect Judith and children. By November 1652 the lease ended up with Thomas' eldest brother Richard Quiney in London. The house later became a Wimpy restaurant before turning into the Stratford Information Office. These property disputes highlighted the lack of trust between Shakespeare and his son-in-law.
William Shakespeare summoned lawyer Francis Collins in January 1616 to alter his will. On the 25th of March he made further changes likely due to dying concerns about Quiney. The original bequest named my sonne in L[aw] which was struck out for Judith's name instead. She received £100 in discharge of her marriage porcion plus another £50 if she relinquished the Chapel Lane cottage. A further £150 waited three years after the will date if any child remained alive. This money explicitly denied Thomas Quiney unless he bestowed lands of equal value on Judith. The bulk of the estate including New Place went to Susanna Hall and her male heirs first.
Judith and Thomas had three children named Shakespeare, Richard, and Thomas. Young Shakespeare died at six months of age buried on the 8th of May 1617. Richard and Thomas were buried within a month of each other in early 1639 aged 21 and 19 respectively. The death of all three children triggered legal wrangling over William Shakespeare's inheritance. Legal proceedings continued until 1652 when Susanna settled the matter through an elaborate device. Thomas Quiney likely died between 1662 and 1663 as burial records become incomplete. His nephew in London eventually held the lease to The Cage by that time.
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Common questions
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.