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Shakespeare In The Dock
We all know he was the greatest playwright. But it has emerged recently, thanks to good work by American scholars at the British Public Record Office in Kew, west of London, that William Shakespeare was involved in a lawsuit.
The court action took place in 1612 when the Bard was at the height of his powers. A 17th century example of gold-digging ? Perhaps.
Mr Shakespeare was summoned as a witness when Stephen Bellot - and married to Shakespeare's only daughter, Mary - sued his father-in-law for non-payment of the marriage dowry of £60 'promised' to the couple eight years earlier.
The meagre record that exists at Kew suggests that William defended himself with eloquence.
The judge at the hearing in London was not able to arrive at a firm judgment. William was acquitted. Belott got nothing.
All's Well That Ends Well.
