Shakespeare on Record is a unique guide to major Shakespeare discoveries and the archival insight that made them possible. With contributions from experts at The National Archives, the Folger Shakespeare Library and leading universities, the book explores and explains the bureaucratic processes and governmental practices that shaped life and records in Renaissance England - making it a key resource for both Shakespeare scholars and researchers of early modern lives. Chapters examine key documents concerning property, the law, coats of arms and investments, which relate to Shakespeare's lives in both Stratford and London. Several of The National Archives' collection of over 120 documents which illuminate Shakespeare's life are profiled here for the first time. Richly illustrated throughout, this is a key resource for both Shakespeare scholars and researchers of early modern lives.

List of illustrations Notes on contributors Acknowledgements List of abbreviations Introduction: 'All saws of books, all forms, all pressurespast' Hannah Leah Crummé (Lewis & Clark College, Oregon, USA)1 Neighbours' petition against the Blackfriars playhouse,November 1596 Alan H. Nelson (University of California, USA)2 Shakespeare's coat of arms: the surviving manuscripts incontext Heather Wolfe (Folger Shakespeare Library, USA)3 The Quiney papersLena Cowen Orlin (Georgetown University, USA)4 Shakespeare indentures and chirographs Alan H. Nelson (University of California, USA)5 The course of the seals: an elaborate process of proceduresand checks Adrian Ailes (Bristol University, UK)6 Shakespeare and the playing companies Lucy Munro (King's College London, UK)7 Shakespeare at court: Audit Office records William Streitberger (University of Washington, USA)8 Shakespeare and the Replingham agreement Robert Bearman (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, UK)9 An archival and material reading of Shakespeare's will Katy Mair (The National Archives, UK)10 The Blackfriars deed and the dawning golden age ofaccessible documents Eric M. Johnson (Folger Shakespeare Library, USA)Notes Bibliography Index