Letter Reveals New Details of Shakespeare's Marriage

New research led by Professor Matthew Steggle of the University of Bristol challenges the belief that William Shakespeare's marriage to Anne Hathaway was distant, revealing that Anne may have lived with Shakespeare in London for extended periods. This conclusion is based on a 17th-century letter addressed to 'Good Mrs Shakespeare' at a London address, preserved in a book binding, and referencing a financial matter involving an orphan named John Butts. The letter implies Anne was actively involved in family matters and easily reachable in London, contradicting the narrative that she was illiterate or a distant figure. This discovery may prompt a reassessment of Anne Hathaway's role in Shakespeare's life. Meanwhile, a separate project at the University of Exeter will examine Shakespeare's influence on funerary practices and epitaphs in the Anglophone world. These findings highlight how new evidence and ongoing research continue to reshape understanding of Shakespeare's personal and cultural legacy.