Ralph Brooke's compilation of arms granted by William Dethick

The Shakespeare Documents.

Ralph Brooke's compilation of arms granted by William Dethick, with list including Shakespeare's name.

Complaint of York Herald, Ralph Brooke, against arms awarded by William Dethick. Shakespeare appears fourth in a list of twenty-three names challenged, compiled c. 1595-1600. V.a.156, flyleaf.

The Shakespeare Documents provide a documentary trail of the life of William Shakespeare (1564-1616) and key archival sources for understanding the English author’s life. These unique handwritten documents, dating from within Shakespeare’s lifetime, name him and provide an evidential basis for understanding the narrative of his life and how this inspired and influenced his creative works. They provide glimpses into Shakespeare’s personal life, his birth, death, family affairs, property and business dealings, as well as his context within a period of history that saw major changes in cultural, religious and socio-political society.