William Knell (actor) facts for kids

William Knell (died June 13, 1587) was a well-known actor during the Elizabethan era, which was the time when Queen Elizabeth I ruled England. He played important main roles for a famous acting group called the Queen's Men in the 1580s. Some people think that his unexpected death in a fight with another actor might have created a chance for William Shakespeare to start his career as a professional actor.

William Knell: A Talented Actor

Joining the Queen's Men

William Knell became part of the Queen's Men acting company in 1583. He quickly became a lead actor, meaning he played the most important characters in their plays.

Playing King Henry V

Knell was famous for playing King Henry V in a play called The Famous Victories of Henry V. This play was performed before Shakespeare wrote his own plays about Henry V. In this play, Knell acted alongside Richard Tarlton, who was a very popular clown actor. Tarlton played a funny character named Dericke. There's a story that during one show, Knell, while playing the King, actually hit Tarlton. This made the audience laugh even more!

His Marriage

On January 30, 1586, William Knell married Rebecca Edwards. She was 15 years old at the time.

A Tragic Event

On June 13, 1587, the Queen's Men were in a town called Thame, getting ready for a tour. Knell got into an argument with another actor named John Towne. Knell pulled out his sword and went after Towne. Towne moved back to a small hill to get away. As Knell kept coming closer, Towne pulled out his own sword to defend himself. He stabbed Knell in the neck. Sadly, Knell died about half an hour later.

After an investigation, John Towne was found not guilty. The report said that Knell kept attacking "maliciously and furiously." Towne used his sword "to save his life."

What Happened Next?

Rebecca's New Life

In December 1587, Rebecca Knell was given control of her late husband's belongings. She remarried soon after, on March 10, 1588. Her new husband was John Heminges. Heminges later became one of Shakespeare's closest friends and colleagues. He also helped to publish the First Folio, which was the first collection of Shakespeare's plays. Rebecca and John had several children together. Their marriage lasted for 31 years until Rebecca passed away in 1619.

The Shakespeare Connection

Many people wonder how William Shakespeare became an actor. William Knell's death might offer a possible answer. Some historians, like Samuel Schoenbaum, have suggested that when the Queen's Men visited Stratford in 1587, they needed a new actor because Knell had died. It's thought that Shakespeare might have taken Knell's place. This could have been how Shakespeare first went to London and started his amazing career in theater.

Shakespeare's father, John Shakespeare, was a respected leader in Stratford. He was in charge of welcoming and looking after visiting acting groups. However, there is no direct proof that Shakespeare joined the Queen's Men. So, this idea remains a guess, but it's an interesting one!

Remembering William Knell

Poetic Tributes

William Knell might have been remembered in a collection of poems by Edmund Spenser published in 1591. The poems, called The Teares of the Muses, include these lines:

Some believe "Willy" refers to William Knell.

Praises from Other Writers

Thomas Heywood, another writer, mentioned Knell in his book Apology for Actors. Heywood compared Knell to a famous ancient Roman actor named Roscius. Heywood said that even though he never saw Knell act, people who did believed his performances were perfect. He felt it would be wrong to forget such a talented actor.

Knell also received praise from Thomas Nashe in his 1592 book Pierce Penilesse. Nashe jokingly said he would write a book in Latin. This book would make sure that the achievements of Knell, Tarlton, Edward Alleyn, and John Bentley were known all over Europe. He wanted everyone to know that these English actors were even better than the famous actors of ancient Rome.