Letter casts doubt over 'unhappy' Shakespeare marriage

It has long been assumed that William Shakespeare's marriage to Anne Hathaway was less than happy.

- Dalya Alberge

He moved to London, leaving her in Stratford-upon-Avon, to pursue his theatrical career, and stipulated in his will that she would receive "my second best bed", though still a valued item.

Now a Shakespeare expert has analysed a fragment of a 17th-century letter that appears to cast dramatic new light on their relationship, overturning the idea that the couple never lived together in London.

Matthew Steggle, a professor of early modern English literature at the University of Bristol, said the text seemed to show the Shakespeares living at a previously unknown address on Trinity Lane - now Little Trinity Lane in the City of London. It also has them jointly involved with money that Shakespeare is holding in trust for a boy named John Butts.

Addressed to "Good Mrs Shakspaire", the letter mentions the death of a Mr Butts and a son, John, who is left "fatherless", as well as a Mrs Butts, who has asked "Mr Shakspaire" to look after money for Butts' children until they come of age. It suggests "Shakspaire" has resisted attempts to pay money the young Butts was owed.