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22 to that of a wealthy, though apparently unscrupulous, capitalist, William Bott, who sold it in 1567 to William Underhill, father of the William who appears as vendor in the sale to Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s family entered into occupation of the house very shortly after he had purchased it, but a further transaction with a member of the Underhill family became necessary in 1602 to assure the poet’s title (see document XXXV). New Place remained Shakespeare’s home till his death, and his will makes elaborate provision for its transfer to his heirs, who continued to own it till the death in 1670 of Lady Bernard, his granddaughter and last lineal descendant. In accordance with Lady Bernard’s will the house was sold, and ultimately passed back to the Clopton family, one of whom in 1702 erected a new house on the site of the Shakespearean mansion. (See Halliwell-Phillipps, Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare, seventh ed., 1887, ii. 101–135, for a full account of the history of New Place.)

Letter of Abraham Sturley of Stratford to Richard Quyny, temporarily in London, January 24, 1598. (Stratford Corporation Records.)

''Most loving and beloved in the Lord, in plain English we remember you in the Lord and ourselves unto you. I would write nothing unto you now but ‘Come home!’ I pray God send you comfortably home. This is one special remembrance from your father’s motion: It seemeth by him that our countryman, Mr. Shaksper,''