Shakespeare of Stratford/The Biographical Facts/Fact 50

by Tucker Brooke

Layout 2

 

L. SHAKESPEARE’S SUIT AGAINST JOHN ADDENBROOKE OF STRATFORD (1608–1609).

Series of seven legal papers in Latin dealing with Shakespeare’s proceedings against Addenbrooke for recovery of a debt of £6 in the Stratford court.^[1] (Stratford Court of Record.)

(A) Aug. 17, 1608. Warrant to the officers of the court to bring the body of Johannem Addenbrooke, generosum, into the next court of record, ad respondendum Willielmo Shackspeare, generoso, de placito debiti.^[2] Endorsed: Virtute istius precepti cepi infranominatum Johannem, cujus corpus paratum habeo prout interius mihi precipitur. Manucaptor pro defendente, Thomas Hornebye. Gilbertus Charnock, serviens.^[3]

(B,C) December 21, 1608. Papers relating to summons of jurymen to try the case of Shakespeare vs. Addenbrooke.

(D,E) February 15, 1609. Note that the jurors decide in favor of the plaintiff.

(F) March 15, 1609. Order citing John Addenbrooke before the next court of record ad satisfaciendum Willielmo Shackspeare, generoso, tam de sex libris debiti quas predictus Willielmus in eadem curia versus eum recuperavit quam de viginti et quattuor solidis qui ei adjudicati fuerunt pro dampnis et custagiis suis quos sustinuit occasione detentionis debiti predicti.^[4] Endorsed: Infranominatus Johannes non est inventus infra libertatem hujus burgi. Franciscus Boyce, serviens.^[5]

(G) June 7, 1609. Order issued against Thomas Horneby to show cause why he should not, as surety for the defaulting Addenbrooke, pay Shakespeare the six pounds and twenty-four shillings which the court had awarded to the latter. Endorsement showing that the notice has been served on Horneby.

1. These documents are given in full by Halliwell-Phillipps, Outlines, 7th ed., ii. 78–80.
2. ‘To answer William Shackspeare, gentleman, in an action for debt.’
3. ‘By virtue of this order I arrested the below-named John, whose body I hold ready as is commanded to me within. Surety for the defendant, Thomas Hornebye. (Signed) Gilbert Charnock, process-server.’
4. ‘To satisfy William Shackspeare, gentleman, both for the six pounds of debt which the aforesaid William recovered against him in the same court and also for the twenty-four shillings which were decreed to him for his damages and injuries which he sustained by reason of the detention of the aforesaid debt.’
5. ‘The below-named John has not been found within the liberties of this borough.’