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April 29, 1552
In April 1552 John Shakespeare was one of three Stratford residents fined for allowing a sterquinium, or muck-heap, to accumulate in Henley Street, presumably outside their front doors. This is the first recorded mention of John Shakespeare.
June 17, 1556
On June 17, 1556, Thomas Such brought a case against John Shakespeare in Stratford’s court of record for the recovery of £8.
October 2, 1556
At Stratford’s court leet - originally a manorial court with delegated authority in minor criminal matters – held on October 2, 1556, the jury reported two recent purchases by John Shakespeare.
June 2, 1557
In the autumn of each year, at Stratford’s court leet – originally a manorial court with delegated authority in minor criminal matters – officials were elected to assist the bailiff in the governance of the town.
September 30, 1558
John Shakespeare was elected constable of Stratford-upon-Avon, as shown here, on September 30, 1558. One of the constables’ main duties was to oversee the watch “for the good governement of the Towne” (Minutes and Accounts, i, p.
September 15, 1558
Joan, John and Mary Shakespeare’s first child, was baptized on September 15, 1558, according to the Holy Trinity Church parish register. Next to the entry, an “X” added by a later hand highlights its significance.
May 4, 1561
John Shakespeare was elected as an affeeror, an official appointed to monitor the level of fines imposed at Stratford’s manorial court, for the second time on May 4, 1561, as shown here. The number of affeerors varied, but the borough most commonly appointed four.
December 2, 1562
Margaret, John and Mary Shakespeare’s second child, was baptized on December 2, 1562, according to the Holy Trinity Church parish register. Next to the entry, an “X” added by a later hand highlights its significance.
January 24, 1563
John Shakespeare, together with John Taylor, appears to have been elected as a chamberlain of the Stratford-upon-Avon Corporation in the autumn of 1561. Chamberlains kept the Corporation accounts.
April 30, 1563
Margaret, John and Mary Shakespeare’s second child, was buried on April 30, 1563, according to the Holy Trinity Church parish register. Next to the entry, an “X” added by a later hand highlights its significance. She was about five months old.
