Letter from Adrian Quiney to his son Richard Quiney including a reference to possible negotiations with William Shakespeare on financial matters

While in London in the autumn of 1598, Richard Quiney received five letters from his father Adrian. Four are dated (October 20 and 29, November 10 and 18). The fifth, shown here, bears no date but, with its reference to dealings with William Shakespeare, probably postdates the news, received in Stratford on October 31, that Richard Quiney had been in discussion with William Shakespeare on financial matters.

Adrian’s letters to his son are almost entirely taken up with news about the family’s business affairs. He begins the present one with a reference to a debt owed by Richard Lane (first mentioned in the letter of October 20) which, as Lane had received some money from Sir Francis Smith of Wootton Wawen, might now be repaid. He continues with some property matters, including a mention of Cecily Bainton, the widow of Richard’s step-brother.

Adrian’s most intriguing reference, however, relates to discussions he implies were under way with William Shakespeare and which might result in an accession of funds: “Yff yowe bargeyn with mr Shakespeare or Receave money.” However, unlike Daniel Baker, whose November 24 letter to Richard Quiney references possible uses for funds in London, Adrian urges his son to “bryng your money home” as he had heard that profits could be made locally in the buying and selling of knit hose. Indeed, Adrian had recently learned that “Edward Wheat and Harrye your brother man’ (Richard’s sister Ann had married William Wheat of Coventry) had spent £20 at Evesham in “knyte hosse Wherefore I thynke yow maye doo good yff yow can have money.”