Prior to Shakespeare’s death, his daughters Judith and Susanna ran into marital problems. First, Susanna Hall was accused of adultery in June 1613. This issue was quickly cleared up in favor of the Shakespeare family; however, three years later, Judith Shakespeare had married Thomas Quiney, a vintner in Stratford, and the couple was excommunicated from the church for attempting to marry during the Great Lent without a legal license to do so. It was later revealed that Quiney was responsible for the impregnation of a Margaret Wheeler, who died in childbirth. He was consequently summoned to court on charges of “carnal copulation” to which he admitted and was fined for. Some scholars have suggested that the stress caused by these occurrences may have weakened Shakespeare’s health and have hastened his death. Following Thomas Quiney’s appearance in court for fornication, William Shakespeare had his last will and testament amended to “protect Judith and to impose conditions on her husband” (Wood 337). Numerous historians point out that Shakespeare’s signature on his will was weak and shaky, a sure sign of his collapsing health (Wood 336 - 337). Shakespeare summoned his lawyer, Frances Collins, to write up his final will and testament in the January before his death on April 23, 1616, exactly fifty-two years after his
Prior to Shakespeare’s death, his daughters Judith and Susanna ran into marital problems. First, Susanna Hall was accused of adultery in June 1613. This issue was quickly cleared up in favor of the Shakespeare family; however, three years later, Judith Shakespeare had married Thomas Quiney, a vintner in Stratford, and the couple was excommunicated from the church for attempting to marry during the Great Lent without a legal license to do so. It was later revealed that Quiney was responsible for the impregnation of a Margaret Wheeler, who died in childbirth. He was consequently summoned to court on charges of “carnal copulation” to which he admitted and was fined for. Some scholars have suggested that the stress caused by these occurrences may have weakened Shakespeare’s health and have hastened his death. Following Thomas Quiney’s appearance in court for fornication, William Shakespeare had his last will and testament amended to “protect Judith and to impose conditions on her husband” (Wood 337). Numerous historians point out that Shakespeare’s signature on his will was weak and shaky, a sure sign of his collapsing health (Wood 336 - 337). Shakespeare summoned his lawyer, Frances Collins, to write up his final will and testament in the January before his death on April 23, 1616, exactly fifty-two years after his