55 1599. Confirmation of the Grant of Arms to John Shakespeare. (See No. 30.)

To all and singuler noble and gentelmen of all estates and degrees bearing arms to whom these presentes shall com, Willm Dethick, Garter, Principall King of Arms of England, and Willin Camden alias Clarencieulx, King of Arms for the sowth east and weste partes of this realme, sendethe greetinge. Knowe yee that in all nations and kingdoms the record and remembrances of the valeant factes and verteous dispositions of worthie men have ben made knowen and divulged by certeyne shieldes of arms and tokens of chevalrie, the grant and testimonie wherof apperteyneth unto us by vertu of our offices from the Quenes most exc. Majeste, and her highenes most noble and victorious progenitors: wherfore being solicited, and by credible report informed, that John Shakespere, now of Stratford uppon Avon in the counte of Warwik gent., whose parent great grandfather and late antecessor, for his faithefull and approved service to the late most prudent prince King H. 7 of famous memorie, was advanced and rewarded with landes and tenementes geven to him in those partes of Warwikeshire, where they have continewed by some descentes in good reputacion and credit; and for that the said John Shakespere having maryed the daughter and one of the heyrs of Robert Arden of Wellingcote in the said countie, and also produced this his auncient cote of arms heretofore assigned to him whilest he was her Majesties officer and baylefe of that towne, In consideration of the premisses, and for the encouragement of his posterite, unto whom suche blazon of arms and atchevementes of inheritance from theyre said mother by the auncyent custome and lawes

of arms maye lawfully descend, We the said Garter and Clarencieulx have assigned, graunted, and con

& Bach Bart Who shot Blaze.

SKETCH OF ARMS SHOWING ARDEN IMPALED, FROM THE DRAFT CONFIRMATION OF THE GRANT AT THE COLLEGE OF ARMS.

firmed, and by these presentes exemplefied unto the said John Shakespere, and to his posterite that shield and

cote of arms, viz., In a field of gould uppon a bend sables a speare of the first, the poynt upward hedded argent; and for his creast or cognizance, a ffalcon with his wynges displayed standing on a wrethe of his coullers supporting a speare armed hedded or steeled silver, fyxed uppon a helmet with mantelles and tasselles, as more playnely maye appeare depicted on this margent; and we have lykewise uppon an other escucheon impaled the same with the auncyent arms of the said Arden of Wellingcote, signifeing thereby that it maye and shalbe lawefull for the said John Shakespere gent. to beare and use the same shieldes of arms single or impaled as aforesaid, during his naturall lyffe; and that it shalbe lawefull for his children, yssue, and posteryte (lawfully begotten) to beare, use, and quarter and shewe forthe the same with theyre dewe differences in all lawfull warlyke factes and civile use or exercises, according to the lawes of arms and custome that to gent. belongethe, without let or interuption of any person or person[s] for use or for bearing the same. In wyttnesse and testemonye wherof we have subscribed our names and fastened the seales of our offices, yeven at the Office of Arms, London, the . . . in xlij.te. yeare of the reigne of our most gratious soveraigne Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, ... France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faythe, &c. 1599.

56 1599. Title-page of " Henry IV., Part I."

THE HISTORY OF HENRIE THE FOURTH: With the
battell at Shrewsburie, betweene the King and Lord
Henry Percy, surnamed Henry Hotspur of the North.
With the humorous conceits of Sir John Falstalffe.

Newly corrected by W. Shake-speare. At London, Printed by S. S. for Andrew Wise, dwelling in Paules churchyard, at the signe of the Angell. 1599. [4to.]

57 1599. Title-page of "The Passionate Pilgrim." THE PASSIONATE PILGRIME by W. Shakespeare. At London Printed for W. Jaggard, and are to be sold by W. Leake, at the Greyhound in Paules Churchyard, 1599. [16mo.]

58 1599. Title-page of "Romeo and Juliet."

59

60

The most excellent and lamentable Tragedie of ROMEO AND JULIET; Newly corrected augmented and amended. As it hath bene sundry times publiquely acted, by the right Honourable the Lord Chamberlaine his Servants. London, Printed by Thomas Creede, for Cuthbert Burby, and are to be sold at his shop neare the Exchange. 1599. [4to.]

Entries at Stationers' Hall:

1600, 4 Augusti. As yow like yt, a booke: Henry the Fift, a booke; The Commedie of Muche Adoo about nothinge, a booke, to be staied.

1600, 14 Augusti. Thomas Pavyer. Entred for his copyes, by direction of M" White, warden, under his hand wrytinge, These copyes followinge, beinge thinges formerlye printed and sett over to the sayd Thomas Pavyer, viz... The historye of Henrye the Vth with the battell of Agencourt.

61

62

63

1600, 23 Augusti. Andrewe Wyse: William Aspley. Entred for their copies, under the handes of the wardens, twoo bookes, the one called Muche Adoo about Nothinge, thother the second parte of the Historye of Kinge Henry the iiijth, with the humors of Sir John Fallstaff, written by Mr Shakespere.

1600, 8 Octobr. Tho. Fyssher. Entred for his copie, under the handes of Mr. Rodes and the wardens, A booke called A mydsommer nighte dreame.

1600, 28 Octobr. Tho. Haies. Entred for his copie, under the handes of the wardens and by consent of Mr Robertes, A booke called the booke of the Merchant of Venyce.

64 1600. Title-page of "Venus and Adonis,"

VENUS AND ADONIS. London. Printed by I. H. for
John Harison. [8vo.]

65 1600. Title-page of "Lucrece."

LUCRECE. London. Printed by I. H. for John Harrison. 1600. [24mo.]

66 1600. Title-page of " King Henry VI., Part III.”

THE TRUE TRAGEDIE OF RICHARDE DUKE OF YORKE
AND THE DEATH OF GOOD KING HENRIE THE SIXT.
With the whole contention betweene the two Houses
Lancaster and Yorke as it was sundry times acted by