Bristol study suggests stronger marriage

The relationship between William Shakespeare and his wife Anne Hathaway may have been happier than previously thought, according to new research.

For more than 200 years it has been believed that Shakespeare left his wife in Stratford-upon-Avon when he travelled to London and that a decision to leave her almost nothing in his will meant he probably felt bitterness towards her.

However, examination of a fragment of a letter, which is addressed to “good Mrs Shakespeare”, appears to show they did live together in central London between 1600-1610.

The research was carried out by Prof Matthew Steggle from the University of Bristol’s Department of English.

In the letter, which was preserved by accident in the binding of a book in Hereford, it is alleged that Shakespeare is withholding money from an orphan boy named John Butts, with the letter asking Mrs Shakespeare for money instead.

She stands by her husband however and tells the letter writer that it is up to them to find the money.

Prof Steggle said: “First discovered in 1978, the letter’s been known for a while, but no-one could identify the names or places involved or see any reason to think that the Mr Shakespeare in the letter was necessarily William rather than anyone else of the same name in the general period.

“So, it’s a story about the Shakespeares’ marriage, really, as well as about Shakespeare’s London contacts.

“And if the writing on the back of the letter is a reply, then it’s also a story about the first ever bit of writing which can be attributed to Anne Hathaway.”

The letter refers to the boy being a fatherless apprentice and through his research Prof Steggle says there was only one person in London called John Butts who fits that criteria.

The letter also refers to a Trinity Lane and of the four married couples called Shakspaire (spelling of the time) known to be in London in that period, only William and Anne are likely to have lived in what was considered a moderately prosperous part of the city.

“It at least doubles the number of letters known to be addressed to or sent from Shakespeare and his family,” Prof Steggle said.

“Currently, there’s only one known. It also shows a side of Shakespeare’s London life that’s not been known before, giving him a new address in Trinity Lane and a whole new sphere of activity for him.”

Prof Steggle said it “opens the door” to the idea Shakespeare’s wife did indeed spend “significant” time with her husband in London.