Mysterious Document Found in Shakespeare’s Childhood Home Reveals Surprising Authorship

In a stunning discovery at William Shakespeare’s childhood home in Stratford-upon-Avon, a mysterious document was found hidden in the rafters, shedding new light on the bard’s family history. Initially believed to be written by Shakespeare’s father, John Shakespeare, the document has now been attributed to his lesser-known sister, Joan, according to new research from the University of Bristol.

The document, a translation of an Italian work titled “The Last Will and Testament of the Soul,” reveals radical religious beliefs that embrace Catholicism, a sect persecuted during Shakespeare’s time in Elizabethan England. The work expresses a willingness to accept death in accordance with God’s will and calls upon the Virgin Mary and Saint Winifred to be present at the author’s passing.

Joan Shakespeare, born five years after her famous brother in 1569, lived a quiet life in Stratford-upon-Avon, marrying a tradesman and raising four children. Unlike her prolific brother, who wrote numerous plays and sonnets, Joan’s existence is only documented in seven recovered documents. Virginia Woolfe’s essay “If Shakespeare Had a Sister” explores the challenges women faced in pursuing literary endeavors during Shakespeare’s era.

The discovery of this hidden document offers a glimpse into Joan Shakespeare’s life and potential literary aspirations, challenging traditional narratives of women’s roles in the literary world. This revelation adds a new chapter to the Shakespearean legacy, highlighting the untold stories of the bard’s family members and their contributions to literature and history.