Judith Quiney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Judith Quiney
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| Born |
Judith Shakespeare
c. 1585 |
| Died | 9 February 1662 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | English |
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| Children |
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| Parent(s) | William Shakespeare (father) Anne Hathaway (mother) |
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Judith Quiney (born in 1585 and died in 1662), whose maiden name was Shakespeare, was the younger daughter of the famous writer William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway. She was the twin sister of their only son, Hamnet Shakespeare.
Judith married Thomas Quiney, who was a vintner (someone who sells wine) in Stratford-upon-Avon. There were some issues around their marriage, which might have caused William Shakespeare to change his will. Her father made sure that Judith's inheritance was protected from her husband. Most of Shakespeare's property and money went to his older daughter, Susanna, and her male children.
Judith and Thomas Quiney had three children. Sadly, Judith outlived all of her children by many years. She has appeared in many stories and plays that try to imagine parts of her famous father's life that we don't know much about.
Birth and Early Life
Judith Shakespeare was the daughter of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway. She was the younger sister of Susanna and the twin sister of Hamnet. Hamnet, however, died when he was only eleven years old.
Judith and Hamnet were baptised on 2 February 1585. This was recorded by the vicar (a type of church leader) in the church records for Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon. The twins were named after Hamnet and Judith Sadler, who were friends of their parents. Hamnet Sadler was a baker in Stratford.
Unlike her father and husband, Judith Shakespeare probably could not read or write. In 1611, she was a witness when a house was sold. She signed the document twice with a mark instead of her name.
Marriage
On 10 February 1616, Judith Shakespeare married Thomas Quiney at Holy Trinity Church. The wedding happened during a time before Lent called Shrovetide. This was a period when marriages were usually not allowed without special permission from the church.
The couple needed a special licence from the Bishop of Worcester, but they did not get one. Because of this, Thomas Quiney was called to appear before a church court in Worcester. He did not show up, and the court decided to excommunicate him (remove him from the church) around 12 March 1616. We don't know if Judith was also excommunicated. However, this punishment did not last long. By November of the same year, they were back in church for the baptism of their first child.
Where They Lived
We don't know exactly where the Quineys lived right after they got married. Judith owned a small house from her father on Chapel Lane in Stratford. Thomas had been renting a tavern called "Atwood's" on High Street since 1611.
Later, in July 1616, Thomas swapped houses with his brother-in-law. He moved his wine shop to a house known as "The Cage." This house is traditionally linked to Judith Quiney. In the 20th century, The Cage was a fast-food restaurant for a while before becoming the Stratford Information Office.
The situation with The Cage shows why William Shakespeare might not have fully trusted Judith's husband. Around 1630, Thomas Quiney tried to sell the lease (the right to use the property) on the house. But his relatives stopped him. In 1633, to protect Judith and her children, the lease was put into a trust. This meant that certain people managed the property for Judith and her children.
William Shakespeare's Will
The difficult start to Judith's marriage might be why William Shakespeare quickly changed his will. He first called his lawyer in January 1616. On 25 March, he made more changes, probably because he was dying and worried about Thomas Quiney.
In the will, Shakespeare first mentioned "my son-in-law." But then he crossed that out and put Judith's name instead. He left Judith £100. He also said she would get another £50 if she gave up the Chapel Lane cottage. If she or any of her children were still alive three years after the will was made, she would get another £150. She was to receive the interest from this money, but not the main amount. This money was specifically kept away from Thomas Quiney unless he gave Judith land of the same value. Judith also received a "broad silver gilt bowl."
For most of his property, including his main house, New Place, and other lands, Shakespeare set up a special arrangement. His property would go to:
- His daughter, Susanna Hall.
- After Susanna's death, to her first son and his male heirs.
- Then to Susanna's second son and his male heirs, and so on.
- If none of Susanna's sons had male heirs, then to Elizabeth Hall (Susanna's daughter) and her male heirs.
- After that, to Judith and her male heirs.
This detailed plan usually means that William Shakespeare did not want Thomas Quiney to control his inheritance. Some people think it just shows that Susanna was his favorite child.
Children
Judith and Thomas Quiney had three children:
- Shakespeare (baptised 23 November 1616 – buried 8 May 1617)
- Richard (baptised 9 February 1618 – buried 6 February 1639)
- Thomas (baptised 23 January 1620 – buried 28 January 1639)
Their first son, Shakespeare, was named after his famous grandfather. Richard's name was common in the Quiney family.
Sadly, Shakespeare Quiney died when he was only six months old. Richard and Thomas Quiney died within one month of each other when they were 21 and 19 years old. We don't know for sure what caused their deaths. Because all of Judith's children died, there were new legal issues regarding her father's inheritance.
Death
Judith Quiney was buried on 9 February 1662, just a week after her 77th birthday. She outlived her last surviving child by 23 years. She was buried at Holy Trinity Church, but the exact spot of her grave is unknown.
Records show some details about her husband's later years. It's thought he might have died in 1662 or 1663, as some church burial records are missing for those years. He might also have left Stratford-upon-Avon. We know he had a nephew in London who eventually held the lease to "The Cage."
