Mary Shakespeare's mark, 15 October 1579

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Date:15th of October 1579

Description:Mary Shakespeare was unskilled in writing and made a mark on the seal tag of the 1579 conveyance of her Snitterfield property (see below), the clerk adding the words 'The marke of Marye Shackspear'. An inability to write (then, because of the materials, a complicated process requiring craft skills) did not necessarily mean that Mary could not read, though it is very unlikely that she had received any formal education.

Robert Arden, John Shakespeare's father-in-law, had left a house and land he owned in Snitterfield jointly to six of his daughters by his first marriage, one of whom, Mary Arden, had married John Shakespeare. From the 1570s, Robert Webbe, son of another of the daughters, began buying up these shares so that ownership would be re-united in his hands. John and Mary Shakespeare sold their share in 1579, at a time when there is evidence to suggest that John was short of ready money, though the sale only raised £4.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust reference: ER 30/1

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Donor ref:ER 30/1 (18/10070)

Source: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust - Records

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