cumstantial evidence that his first connection was rather with Lord Pembroke’s players. (See J. Q. Adams, Life of Shakespeare, 1923, pp. 180 ff., and R. Crompton Rhodes, Shakespeare’s First Folio, 1923, pp. 84 ff.)
XII. BURIAL OF SHAKESPEARE’S SON (1596).
Stratford Burial Register.
1596 August 11 Hamnet filius William Shakspere.
XIII. DRAFT OF GRANT OF ARMS TO SHAKESPEARE’S FATHER (1596).
Rough draft, preserved in Heralds’ College, London, of arms devised for John Shakespeare by William Dethick, Oct. 20, 1596.
NON SANZ DROICT Shakespere, 1596.
To all and singular, noble and gentlemen, of what estate or degree bearing arms, to whom these presents shall come, William Dethick, alias Garter, principal king of arms, sendeth greetings. Know ye that whereas by the authority and ancient privilege and custom pertaining to my said office of principal king of arms from the Queen’s most excellent majesty and her highness’ most noble and victorious progenitors I am to take general notice and record, and to make public demonstration and testimony, for all causes of arms and matters of gentry throughout all her Majesty’s kingdoms and dominions, principalities, isles, and provinces to the end that as some by their ancient names, families, kindreds, and descents have and enjoy sundry ensigns and [coats] of arms, so other for their valiant facts, magnanimity, virtue, dignities, and deserts may have such marks and tokens of honor and worthiness whereby their name and good fame shall be [the
