John Shakespeare facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Shakespeare
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Arms granted in 1596
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| Born | c. 1531 Snitterfield, Warwickshire, England
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| Died | 7 September 1601 (aged 69–70) Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England
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| Spouse(s) | Mary Arden |
| Children | |
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| Family | Henry Shakespeare, Thomas Shakespeare, Anna Shakespeare |
John Shakespeare (born around 1531 – died 7 September 1601) was an English businessman. He lived in Stratford-upon-Avon and was the father of the famous playwright, William Shakespeare.
John Shakespeare worked as a glover (someone who makes gloves) and a whittawer (a person who prepares white leather). He was also involved in local government. He served as an alderman and later became the bailiff of Stratford in 1568. This role was like being the mayor of the town.
Later, he faced some tough times, but his luck improved. He was given a special coat of arms five years before he died. This was likely arranged and paid for by his son, William. John Shakespeare married Mary Arden. They had eight children together, and five of them lived to adulthood.
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John Shakespeare's Early Life and Business
John Shakespeare was the son of Richard Shakespeare, a farmer from the village of Snitterfield in Warwickshire.
In 1551, John Shakespeare moved to Stratford-upon-Avon. At that time, Stratford was a small town with about 1,500 people and 200 houses. He became a successful businessman there.
His Many Jobs and Income
From 1556 to 1592, official records show he was mainly a glovemaker. People remembered him making gloves even when he was old. But his records show he earned much more than a typical small-town tradesman.
He inherited and rented farmland. He also sold timber (wood) and barley (a type of grain). Court records also show he was a "brogger," which meant he dealt in wool without a proper license. He also bought and rented out houses. He even faced legal issues twice for lending money at interest rates that were too high.
By 1552, he lived in a house on Henley Street. In 1556, he bought a house on the same street. This house is now part of what is known as Shakespeare's Birthplace. In 1576, he bought two more houses next door and joined all three together.
John Shakespeare's Role in Town Government
In 1556, John Shakespeare was elected as an "ale taster" for Stratford. This was his first important job in the town government. In this role, he made sure that inns and pubs used correct weights and measures and charged fair prices. He also checked on butchers, bakers, and other traders.
Rising Through the Ranks
- In 1558, he became a borough constable, which was like an early police officer.
- In 1559, he became an "affeeror." This officer set fines for crimes that didn't have a clear penalty in the law.
- After this, he became a "burgess" and then a "chamberlain." He was known as a "Goodman," showing his growing importance in Stratford.
- By 1564, John Shakespeare was an alderman, a member of the town council. This was the same year his famous son, William, was born.
Becoming the High Bailiff
In 1568, John Shakespeare was chosen as the High Bailiff. This was the most important job in the town, similar to being the mayor today. He was elected by the town council members. As High Bailiff, he was called "Master John Shakespeare."
He led court sessions and council meetings. He also acted as the town's almoner (distributing charity), coroner (investigating deaths), and justice of the peace. He issued warrants and worked with the lord of the manor for the town.
Applying for a Coat of Arms
In 1569, John Shakespeare tried to get a coat of arms. This was a special symbol showing a family's status. His application mentioned that his ancestors had been honored by King Henry VII. However, this application was later withdrawn.
Years later, on 20 October 1596, a coat of arms was granted to him. Most historians believe his son, William, helped restart the application after he became successful in London. The new application also mentioned that John Shakespeare had married "the daughter and heir of Arden, a gentleman of worship."
John Shakespeare's Family Life
John Shakespeare married Mary Arden. She came from a well-known local family in Warwickshire. She was also reportedly a niece of John Shakespeare's father, Richard Shakespeare. We don't know the exact date they married, but it was likely around 1557. Their first child, Joan, was baptized on 15 September 1558.
The Shakespeares had eight children:
- Joan (baptized 15 September 1558, died as a baby)
- Margaret (baptized 2 December 1562 – died 30 April 1563)
- William (baptized 26 April 1564 – died 23 April 1616)
- Gilbert (baptized 13 October 1566 – died 2 February 1612)
- Joan (baptized 15 April 1569 – died 4 November 1646)
- Anne (baptized 28 September 1571 – died 4 April 1579)
- Richard (baptized 11 March 1574 – died 4 February 1613)
- Edmund (baptized 3 May 1580 – died 31 December 1607)
Challenges and Later Life
John Shakespeare faced some financial difficulties from the late 1570s until the early 1590s. He stopped attending town council meetings regularly. Between January 1577 and September 1586, he only attended once. Because of this, he lost his position as an alderman.
In 1592, records show he was among several local men who avoided church services. This was because they feared being arrested for debts. Records also suggest he had problems with his business dealings, including lending money in ways that were not allowed and trading wool illegally.
In 1576, John Shakespeare stepped back from public life in Stratford. His fellow townsmen and business partners helped him by excusing him from some payments. They kept his name on the town lists for ten years, hoping he would recover financially and return to public life. However, he never did.
He is mentioned again in local records in 1597 when he sold some property. John Shakespeare was buried on 8 September 1601 at Holy Trinity Church in Stratford.
John Shakespeare's Beliefs
John Shakespeare and his family were members of the Church of England. He held several town offices, which required him to be a church member in good standing. The baptisms and burials of his children were recorded in the parish church register.
As a town chamberlain, John Shakespeare helped cover over wall paintings in the Guild Chapel in the 1560s or 1570s. This was done to follow Queen Elizabeth I's orders to remove "signs of superstition" from places of worship. Records show he paid two shillings for "defacing images in the chapel."
Some historians believe that parts of Shakespeare's family might have secretly been Roman Catholics. His wife, Mary Arden, came from a Catholic family.
