Shakespeare pursues Philip Rogers for the recovery of a debt of 35s 10d, plus damages.

Move your pointing device over the image to zoom to detail. If using a mouse click on the image to toggle zoom.
When in zoom mode use + or - keys to adjust level of image zoom.

Date:1604

Description:Note of a hearing in Stratford's Court of Record concerning a claim by William Shakespeare that he was owed 35s 10d by Philip Rogers arising out of the sale of 20 bushels of malt.

Shakespeare's allegation was that, between 27 March and 30 May he had sold Rogers 20 bushels of malt in six instalments, at a total cost of 39s 10d and had lent him a further two shillings on 25 June. Rogers had so far only managed to pay Shakespeare six shillings leaving a balance of 35s 10d outstanding to which was added 10 shillings damages which Shakespeare claimed to have suffered as a result of Rogers's bad faith.

Even in a time of shortage (February 1598), Shakespeare had been recorded as holding 80 bushels of corn and malt [see 'Noate of Corn and Malte']. Philip Rogers was a Stratford apothecary. The record of the outcome of the case has not survived.

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust reference: ER 27/5

Share:


Donor ref:ER 27/5 (35/10739)

Source: The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust - Records

Copyright information: Copyrights to all resources are retained by the individual rights holders. They have kindly made their collections available for non-commercial private study & educational use. Re-distribution of resources in any form is only permitted subject to strict adherence to the usage guidelines.