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2 wealthy landowner of Wilmecote, a couple of miles north of Stratford. Robert Arden, who had died in 1556, was the son of Thomas Arden (the poet’s maternal great-grandfather), who was living at Wilmecote in 1501 and who probably belonged to the aristocratic family of the Ardens of Park Hall. Mary Shakespeare, the poet’s mother, was buried at Stratford, September 9, 1608.

Shakespeare’s Brothers and Sisters.

The poet was the third child and first son of John and Mary Shakespeare. The other children, with their dates of baptism were:

Joan (Sept. 15, 1558),

Margaret (Dec. 2, 1562),

Gilbert (Oct. 13, 1566),

Joan (Apr. 15, 1569),

Anne (Sept. 28, 1571),

Richard (Mar, 11, 1574),

Edmund (May 8, 1580).

The first two daughters died in infancy, and Anne (buried Apr. 4, 1579) at the age of seven. The poet’s three brothers all died before him, probably without children, though Gilbert may possibly have had a son. Edmund became an actor and was buried in St. Saviour’s Church, Southwark, Dec. 31, 1607. Joan—the second sister so named—married William Hart and has descendants still alive.

(A) Record of issue of marriage license, Episcopal Register, Diocese of Worcester, November 27, 1582: