Gilbert Shakespeare facts for kids
Gilbert Shakespeare was the younger brother of the famous playwright and poet William Shakespeare. He was born in 1566 and likely passed away in 1612. Gilbert worked as a haberdasher, which means he sold things like thread, needles, and ribbons. We know about him from old records found in Stratford-upon-Avon and London.
Gilbert's Early Life and Family
Gilbert's father, John Shakespeare, was a glove maker in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was also an important town official, known as an alderman, starting in 1564. Gilbert was baptized in the Holy Trinity church on October 13, 1566. He might have been named after Gilbert Bradley, another glove maker who lived nearby.
Gilbert got sick with the plague but survived. He could read and write, as shown by his signature on a document. He probably went to the free school in Stratford, just like his brother William. Around 1578, it's possible that both boys left school. They might have needed to help their father with his business, which was having some tough times.
Years in London
For about seven years, there are not many records of Gilbert. Some people call this time "Shakespeare's lost years." During this period, Gilbert moved to London. There, he worked as a haberdasher, selling sewing supplies in the St Bride's area.
In 1597, Gilbert helped a clockmaker from Stratford named William Sampson. He acted as a guarantor, which means he promised that Sampson would show up for court.
In 1596, Gilbert's father, John Shakespeare, and his children, including Gilbert, were given a special symbol called a coat of arms. This symbol was gold with a black stripe and a silver spear. It also had a motto that said "Non sans droit," which means "Not without right."
Return to Stratford
Gilbert Shakespeare seems to have moved back to Stratford by 1602. On May 1 of that year, he helped his brother William. He collected the official papers for 107 acres of farmland that William had bought. William paid £320 for this land.
In 1609, Gilbert was mentioned in a legal complaint by a widow named Joan Bromley. The exact reasons for this legal case are not fully known. On March 5, 1610, Gilbert signed his name as a witness on a lease for a property in Bridge Street, Stratford. He signed his name neatly as "Gilbert Shakesper."
Gilbert's Death
The records from the Holy Trinity church show that "Gilbert Shakspeare, adolescens" was buried on February 3, 1612. Most people today believe this was the same Gilbert Shakespeare who was born in 1566. The word adolescens is Latin and means "growing" or "adolescent."
Some historians think this word meant that Gilbert Shakespeare died unmarried. This idea is supported because there are no records of him ever getting married or having children. Also, he is not mentioned in his brother William's will.
However, some earlier writers wondered if this burial record might have been for Gilbert's son, not Gilbert himself. They thought that Gilbert, being almost 46 years old, would not have been described as an "adolescent." One writer from the 1700s, William Oldys, even suggested that Gilbert lived to be very old, possibly even after King Charles II came to power in 1660. Oldys wrote that actors were very curious to learn about William Shakespeare from his younger brother.
