SouthernWorldwide.com – A significant historical mystery surrounding the London residence of William Shakespeare has reportedly been solved, with a researcher pinpointing its exact location after centuries of speculation.
The property, which has long eluded definitive identification, is situated in London’s Blackfriars district. Its location is near the River Thames, according to a recent announcement from King’s College London (KCL).
Specifically, the research indicates that Shakespeare’s former home occupied the area now known as Ireland Yard and parts of Burgon Street. This includes the vicinity around 5 St. Andrew’s Hill in Blackfriars.
The breakthrough was made by Lucy Munro, a professor specializing in Shakespeare and early modern literature at KCL. Her research involved the discovery of a 1668 map that had previously been overlooked by scholars.
By connecting this map to a series of property records, Professor Munro was able to trace the ownership of the house back to Shakespeare himself. This chain of evidence provides a compelling link to the Bard’s presence in the area.
Professor Munro expressed her astonishment at the finding, stating that she “couldn’t believe it when I realized what I was looking at — the floor plan of Shakespeare’s Blackfriars house.” The discovery was made during research for a larger project.
The precise whereabouts of Shakespeare’s London dwelling had been a source of puzzlement for academics since the 18th century. While it was known that Shakespeare owned property in Blackfriars during his later years, the exact site remained unknown.
It has long been believed that Shakespeare retired from his active career in London’s theatre scene shortly after acquiring the Blackfriars property in 1613. The prevailing theory suggested he returned to Stratford-upon-Avon to live a comfortable life as a gentleman.
However, this new discovery could challenge that long-held assumption. It suggests that Shakespeare may have spent more time in London during his final years than previously understood.
Professor Munro highlighted a “continuous paper trail” that spans from 1613 to 1667. This documentation, including indentures, lease records, and a map created shortly after the Great Fire of London in 1666, solidifies the identified location.
The unearthed documents also offer some insights into how Shakespeare might have utilized the property. While not entirely definitive, the information provides a clearer picture of its potential use.
The 1668 plan, according to Professor Munro, prompts a reassessment of Shakespeare’s usage of the house. It offers a more detailed understanding of its layout and characteristics.
The house is described as L-shaped, with a section extending northward from the gate. This northern section, situated behind St. Andrew’s Hill, measured approximately 58 square meters (624 square feet). Evidence suggests it likely had two stories, with part of it built over the gateway.
The professor’s analysis of the evidence indicates that Shakespeare may have intended to use the London property for his own purposes, rather than solely as a financial investment. However, the property also possessed the clear potential for being divided into multiple units.
Professor Munro pointed to Shakespeare’s will, which mentions his tenant, John Robinson, by 1616. This indicates the property was rented out by that time.
Interestingly, when Shakespeare purchased the house, he appears to have taken steps to ensure it was acquired with vacant possession, meaning there were no existing tenants. This detail is significant.
One version of the sale document mentions a sitting tenant, but this clause was crossed out and deleted in other copies. This suggests Shakespeare’s potential intention to either live in the house himself or to occupy part of it while renting out the remainder.
The location of the house is also noteworthy, being less than a five-minute walk from the Blackfriars playhouse. Shakespeare was actively working and co-authoring plays at this venue.
Professor Munro suggests this proximity implies a need to re-evaluate Shakespeare’s activities in 1613. This year is typically viewed in academic circles as the beginning of his phased retirement to Stratford.
She posits that this perspective might be influenced by the knowledge of his death in 1616, a fact Shakespeare himself would not have anticipated. His purchase of a substantial house in Blackfriars complicates the retirement narrative.
This acquisition argues for a continued and significant professional investment in London during his later years. It suggests his ties to the city remained strong.
Professor Munro stated that future excavations at the site are unlikely at this stage. She noted that a prior investigation in the area did not yield any archaeological remains.
Despite the lack of potential for further digging, research is expected to continue. Professor Munro expressed a desire to uncover more about Shakespeare’s intentions when he purchased the house.
She also hopes to determine if his daughter and granddaughter ever stayed there. However, she acknowledges that such details are difficult to ascertain from surviving documentation, which primarily consists of property transactions.
There remains some potential, however, to identify Shakespeare’s neighbors in 1613. This could offer further context to his life in London.
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Professor Munro concluded by emphasizing the excitement of discovering new aspects of Shakespeare’s life and career. This is a testament to the ongoing work of numerous dedicated scholars and researchers over more than two centuries.
