Page:Shakespeare of Stratford (1926) Yale.djvu/97

Shakespeare of Stratford the University of Nebraska, 1905, with a commentary which inaccurately represents the attitude of the parties to the suit. There was no quarrel, but Matthew Bacon, as executor for his mother’s estate, required authorization of the court before surrendering the documents. As stated in Shakespeare’s deed for his Blackfriars property (see p. 71), Henry Walker, who sold it to the poet, had himself bought it in 1604 from ‘Mathie’ Bacon (the father). The difficulty about the deeds arose from the intricate way in which the valuable and fashionable residence property at Blackfriars had been subdivided. Sections covered by a single early deed or charter were in Shakespeare’s day held by many owners, all of whom would require to have access to the old papers in tracing their titles.

The names of most of the complainants associated with Shakespeare indicate the high social standing of his neighbors in the Blackfriars district.

Stratford Marriage Register.

1615 [i.e. 1616]'' February 10  Tho. Queeny to Judith Shakspere.''

. Thomas Quyny, son of Shakespeare’s friend, Richard Quyny, was baptized February 26, 1589, being four years younger than Judith Shakespeare. He was a vintner or inn-keeper by trade and apparently a shiftless person.