all that messuage or tenement, with the appurtetenances, wherein one John Robinson dwelleth, fituate, lying, and being, in the Blackfriars in London near the Wardrobe; 8 and all other my lands, tenements, and hereditaments whatsoever; to have and to hold all and fingular the said premises, with their appurtenances, unto the said Susanna Hall, for and during the term of her natural life; and after her decease to the first son of her body lawfully issuing, and to the heirs males of the body of the said first son lawfully issuing; and for default of such issue, to the second son of her body lawfully issuing, and to the heirs males of the body of the said second son lawfully issuing; and for default of such heirs, to the third son of the body of the said Susanna lawfully issuing, and to the heirs male of the body of the said third son lawfully issuing; and for default of such issue, the same so to be and remain to the fourth, fifth, fixth, and seventh sons of her body, lawfully issuing one after another, and to the heirs males of the bodies af the said fourth, -fifth, fixth, and feventh fons lawfully issuing, in such manner as it is before limited to be and remain to the first, fecond, and third fons of her body; and to their heirs males;

8 ---that mesfuage or tenement — in the Blackfriars in Lona don near the Wardrobe; ] This was the house which was mortgaged to Henry Walker. See p. 98.

By the Wardrobe' is meant the King's Great Wardrobe, a foyal house near Paddle Wharf, purchased by King Edward the Third from Sir Johti Beauchamp, who built it.

King Richard III. was lodged in this house in the second year of his reign. See Stowe's Survey, p. 693, edit. 618. After the fire of London this office was kept in the Savoy; but it is now abolilaed. MALONE.

and for default of such issue, the said premises to be and remain to my said niece Hall and the heirs males of her body lawfully issuing; and for default of such issue, to my daughter Judith, and the heirs males of her body lawfully issuing; and for default of such issue, to the right heirs of me the said William Shakspeare for ever.

Item, I give unto my wife my second best bed, with the furniture.

Item, I give and bequeath to my faid daughter Judith my broad silver gilt bowl. All the rest of my goods, chattels, leases, plate, jewels, and housi hold-stuff whatsoever, after my debts and legacies paid, and my funeral expences discharged, I give, devise, and bequeath to my son-in-law, John Hall, gent. and my daughter Susanna his wife, whom I ordain and make executors of this my last will and testament. And I do entreat and appoint the faid Thomas Russel, Esq. and Francis Collins, gent. to

:

9 -- my fecond best bed, with the furniture. ] Thus Shak

speare's original will. Mr. Theobald and the other modern editors have been more bountiful to Mrs. Shakspeare, having printed instead of these words, "--my brown best bed, with the furniture." MALONE.

It appears, in the original will of Shakspeare, (now in the Prerogative-Office Doctors' Commons,) that he had forgot his wife; the legacy to her being expressed by an interlineation, as well as those to Heminge, Burbage and Condell.

The will is written on three sheets of paper, the two last of which are undoubtedly subscribed with Shakspeare's own hand. The first indeed has bis name in the margin, but it differs somewhat in spelling as well as manner, from the two signatures that follow. STEEVENS.

be overseers hereof. And do revoke all former wills, and publish this to be my last will and tellament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand, the day and year first above-written.

By me' William Shakspeare.

1

Witness to the publishing hereof.

Fra. Collyns,
Julius Shaw,
John Robinson,
Hamnet Sadler,
Robert Whattcott.

Probatum fuit testamentum fuprafcriptum apud

London, coram Magistro William Byrde. Legum Dottore, &c. vicefimo fecundo die menfis Junii, Anno Domini 1616; juramento Johannis Hall unius ex, cui, &c. de bene, &c. jurat. refervata potestate, &c. Susanna Hall, alt. ex. &c. eam cum venerit, &c. petitur. &c.

The name at the top of the margin of the first sheet was probably written by the scrivener who drew the will. This was the constant practice in Shakspeare's time. MALONE.

By me William Shakspeare. ] This was the mode of our poet's time. Thus the Register of Stratford is figned at the bottom of each

page,

in the year 1616, " Per me Richard Watts, Minister." Thefe concluding words have hitherto been inaccurately exhibited thus: “ the day and year first above-written by me, William Shakspeare.” Neither the day, nor year, nor any preceding part of this will, was written by our poet. By me," &c. only means - The above is the will of ine William Shakspeare. MALONE.

2 3

.4

Fra. Collins.] See p. 106. MALONE.

-Julius Shaw -- ] was born in Sept. 1571. He married Anne Boyes, May 5. 1594; and died at Stratford in June 1629. MALONE.

-John Robinson.] John, fon of Thomas Robinson, was baptized at Stratford, Nov. 30, 1589. I know not when be died. MALONE.

6 hdi Hamnet Sadler.] See p. 107, MALONE.

1

1

Earl of PEMBR'OKE, &c. Lord Chamberlaine to

the Kings moft Excellent Majestie;

Earle of MONTGOMERY; &c. Gentleman of his

Majesties Bed-chamber.

Both Knights of the Most Noble Order of the

Garter, and our fingular good LORDS.

RIGHỈ HONOURABLE,

WHILST we ftudie to be tharikfull in our particular, for the many favors we have received from your L. L. we are falne upon the ill fortune, 'tęs mingle two the most diverse things that can be, feare, and rashnesle ; rashnesse in the enterprize, and feare in the successe. For, · when we value the places your H. H. sustaine, wee cannot but know the dignity greater, than to descend to the reading of these trifles : and, while we name them trifles, we have deprived ourselves of the VOL. I.

I

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