Uncovering the Story of Shakespeare’s Sister: Joan Shakespeare and the Spiritual Testament

The discovery of a long-lost document has shed light on the existence of William Shakespeare’s sister, Joan Shakespeare. The document, known as the ‘Spiritual Testament’, was found in the rafters of the Shakespeare family home in Stratford-upon-Avon and reveals Joan’s interest in writing.

Joan Shakespeare, who was five years younger than her famous brother, lived a quiet life in the family home and is thought to have married a tradesman, changing her name to Joan Hart. She outlived both her husband and William by 30 years, raising four children in the Shakespeare family house.

The document, previously attributed to William’s father John, was actually written by Joan. Professor Matthew Steggle from the University of Bristol conducted a study on the document, revealing Joan’s Catholic beliefs and her interest in writing. The discovery challenges historic gender prejudices that may have obscured Joan’s role in the Shakespeare household.

The research, published in the journal Shakespeare Quarterly, highlights Joan Shakespeare as a symbol for the lost voices of early modern women. While William Shakespeare’s works are widely celebrated, Joan’s writing and existence have been largely overlooked until now. The study adds a new dimension to the understanding of the Shakespeare family and their literary connections.