Comments on: Shakespearian actors in Shoreditch

By: Niall McDevitt

Niall McDevitt — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 17:59:57 +0000

Thank you. Very enjoyable. I would like to offer an important correction. Edmund Shakespeare’s son Edward was christened at St Leonards in July 1607 but buried a month later at St Giles without Cripplegate, near to Shakespeate’s lodging house on Silver Street. There may have been a brief celebratory period in Shoreditch, but it’s unlikely as the boy was born out of wedlock to a father who probably could not provide for him and was possibly already very ill. It may even have been a muted relief when the boy died a month later. The Giles without Cripplegate records say: “Edward son of Edward (sic) Shackspeere Player base borne”. One wonders why the burial didn’t also take place at St Leonards. It’s possible that Shakespeare was hosting his brother at this time, maybe even the nephew, at Silver Street. It’s probable that he paid for the funeral of the baby at St Giles. The tragedy completed its final act on December 31 1607, when Edmund was buried at St Saviours in Southwark.

I enclose a link to an upcoming walk in your neighbourhood.
http://www.thesocietyclub.com/events-1/2017/1/16/shoreditch-a-walk-with-christopher-marlowe

By: Richard

Richard — Sun, 30 Nov 2014 21:25:13 +0000

Beautifully cut letters.

By: Wills

Wills — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:57:37 +0000

I’m loving all the stuff on this website. Just one point, Edmond Shakespeare’s “base-born” son was buried at St Giles Cripplegate (so near William’s Silver Street address), not St Leonard’s. Thanks for all the great pictures!

By: Barry Clarke

Barry Clarke — Sat, 01 May 2010 10:54:35 +0000

I am just discovering the history of St Leonard’s Church and the surrounding area and I am so chuffed that I will be performing there later this month in Tower Theatre’s production of ‘Julius Caesar’ – how exciting!!!!!!!!!

By: Tyrone Walker-Hebborn

Tyrone Walker-Hebborn — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 17:42:47 +0000

Another great article, I do indeed have children, two in fact. Scarlett Lily 6 & Mason Robert 3 who can be a drama queen & king whenever the mood takes them so who knows where they may end up. Thanks for keeping up the good work & I hope to see you soon. Our film EDGE is all shot & in edit now, we hope to be out of post production by September but will keep you posted.

Take care

Tyrone.

By: PJ

PJ — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 22:02:37 +0000

I am so happy that I have eventually found a blog that I can truely admire. Spitalfields is one of my favourite areas of London. Most people seem to over look the history. Good work. Please keep it up.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:39:22 +0000

It just goes to show that ‘what goes around ,comes around ‘ if we wait long enough.
Lots of lovely info, I like it.

By: Susan Lendroth

Susan Lendroth — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:53:47 +0000

I know very little beyond the names of any of those stars/scions of 16th century theatre, but now I am very interested in learning more. And how wonderful that the area is once again host to such an interesting mix.

Susan

By: Ian Harris

Ian Harris — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 15:39:18 +0000

It just gets better and better!

By: mcneill

mcneill — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:26:05 +0000

I see Henry VIII’s court jester William Sommers is buried here. Imagine being Henry VIII’s jester! I imagine he would have a massive laugh – but sometimes you’d just get a flagon of ale in the face. There’s a lovely Wikipedia on Sommers, from which I’ve yanked the following:

…….. he did occasionally overstep the mark. In 1535, the King threatened to kill Sommers with his own hand, after Sir Nicholas Carew dared him to call Queen Anne “a ribald” and the Princess Elizabeth “a bastard”

What’s best about this is that someone dared him! Haha! And what an insight into the humour of the time.