marriage with the said Mary in the bill mentioned, being the said defendant’s sole child and daughter, and willingly offered to perform the same if the said complainant should seem to be content and well like thereof. And further this deponent saith that the said defendant’s wife did solicit and entreat this deponent to move and persuade the said complainant to effect the said marriage; and accordingly this deponent did move and persuade the complainant thereunto. And more to this interrogatory he cannot depose.
4. To the fourth interrogatory this deponent saith that the defendant promised to give the said complainant a portion[1] in marriage with Mary his daughter; but what certain portion he remembereth not, nor when to be paid, nor knoweth that the defendant promised the plaintiff two hundred pounds with his daughter Mary at the time of his decease. But saith that the plaintiff was dwelling with the defendant in his house, and they had amongst themselves many conferences about their marriage, which . . .[2] was consummated and solemnized. .And more he cannot [depose.][2]
5. To the fifth interrogatory this deponent saith he can say noth[ing][2] touching any part or point of the same interrogatory, for he knoweth not what implements and necessaries of household stuff the defendant gave the plaintiff in marriage with his daughter Mary.
Willm Shakper[3]
This is Shakespeare’s only deposition in the case. Other witnesses were later interrogated, several of
